Kaitlyn Dever on Abby Role: 'Hard to Ignore Internet Buzz'

Actress Kaitlyn Dever has opened up about her role as Abby in the highly anticipated second season of HBO's The Last of Us, acknowledging the difficulty in avoiding online reactions to her character. The portrayal of Abby has been a focal point of contention among fans, with significant backlash directed towards the character's actions in the original game. This hostility even extended to real-life harassment of Naughty Dog employees, including co-president Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the game. The abuse targeted Bailey, her parents, and her young son, highlighting the extreme nature of some fans' reactions.

HBO took the potential for such backlash seriously, providing Dever with additional security during the filming of Season 2. This precaution underscores the intense emotions the character evokes. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, commented on the surreal nature of the backlash, reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character.

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3 ImagesIn an interview with ScreenRant, Dever shared her thoughts on the anticipation surrounding Abby's portrayal. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted, reflecting on the challenge of tuning out online noise. Her primary focus, however, remains on doing justice to Abby's character and satisfying the fans. Dever emphasized her collaboration with Druckmann and showrunner Craig Mazin, aiming to capture Abby's core emotions—her anger, frustration, and grief—rather than being swayed by external reactions.

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11 ImagesLast month, Druckmann discussed the adaptation process for The Last of Us Part 2, revealing that Abby's physicality would be adjusted for the show. Unlike the game, where Abby's muscular build was necessary for gameplay mechanics, the series focuses more on drama than action. Druckmann praised Dever's casting, noting that the show doesn't require Abby to be as physically distinct from Ellie as in the game. "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role," he said, emphasizing the shift in storytelling priorities.

Craig Mazin added that this change allows for a deeper exploration of Abby's character, focusing on her inner strength rather than her physical prowess. He hinted at future developments, suggesting that Abby's formidable nature would be a central theme explored over multiple seasons. This aligns with HBO's plan to extend the story of The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, with Season 2 designed to end on a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, paving the way for potential future seasons.