Last of Us Season 2: Abby Actress on Online Reactions

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 the 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, aware of this potential for backlash, provided Dever with additional security during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hate towards a fictional character: "There's so many strange people in this world because there are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder: not a real person."

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. She admitted that while it's challenging to avoid online commentary, her focus remained on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to authentically portray Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and the complexities of her anger, frustration, and grief.

The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?

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Neil Druckmann recently clarified that the HBO adaptation will deviate from the game's depiction of Abby's physique. The showrunners explained to Entertainment Weekly that Dever's casting didn't require her to undergo significant physical transformation because Abby's role in the show doesn't necessitate mirroring the game's mechanical distinctions between Ellie and Abby. Druckmann emphasized the importance of finding the right actress, stating, "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role." He further explained that the game required distinct gameplay mechanics for Ellie and Abby, but the show prioritizes dramatic storytelling. Mazin added that the series explores a more vulnerable yet spiritually stronger Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestation of her formidable nature.

The mention of "now and later" suggests HBO's intention to extend Abby's storyline beyond a single season. While a third season isn't confirmed, Mazin has indicated that The Last of Us Part II contains substantial material for future seasons, and Season 2 is structured with a natural conclusion after seven episodes.