The Last of Us Season 2's Abby, Kaitlyn Dever, Says It's 'Hard Not to See Those Things on the Internet'

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, cast as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, acknowledges the difficulty of ignoring online reactions to her portrayal. The character of Abby has been a target of significant online toxicity, with harassment directed at Naughty Dog employees, including Neil Druckmann and Laura Bailey, extending to threats and abuse against Bailey's family. HBO took this into account during filming, providing Dever with extra security. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hatred towards a fictional character.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever addressed the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby, admitting it's challenging to avoid online commentary. Her priority, however, remained collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to authentically portray Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and inner turmoil, focusing on her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Neil Druckmann clarified that the HBO adaptation will deviate from the game's depiction of Abby's physique. Druckmann and Craig Mazin explained to Entertainment Weekly that Dever didn't need to undergo significant physical transformation, as Abby's physicality in the show doesn't need to mirror the game's mechanics. Druckmann emphasized Dever's exceptional suitability for the role, highlighting the differing needs for the game's dual protagonist perspectives. Mazin added that the series will explore a more vulnerable yet spiritually strong Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestation of her formidable nature.

The mention of "now and later" suggests HBO's intention to adapt The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season. Mazin previously indicated the abundance of story material in Part 2. While Season 3 isn't confirmed, Season 2 is structured with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes.