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

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, set to portray Abby in the highly anticipated The Last of Us Season 2, recently opened up about the challenges of ignoring online reactions to her character. The role of Abby is surrounded by significant controversy, stemming from the character's actions in the original video game, which led some fans to direct their frustrations at Naughty Dog employees, including co-president Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, with threats and harassment extending to Bailey's family.

Given the intense backlash, HBO took additional security measures during the filming of Season 2 to protect Dever from potential threats. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, highlighted the absurdity of the situation by reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character, not a real person. This context underscores the pressure Dever faces as she steps into this pivotal role.

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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dever shared her struggle with avoiding online commentary about Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted. She emphasized her commitment to doing justice to the character and satisfying the fans by focusing on Abby's emotional depth, her motivations, and the complexities of her personality. Dever's primary goal is to collaborate effectively with Druckmann and showrunner Craig Mazin to capture Abby's essence, her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Last month, Druckmann discussed how the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 would approach Abby's character differently from the video game. He noted that the show's version of Abby does not require the same level of physicality as in the game, where her muscular build was necessary for distinguishing her gameplay mechanics from Ellie's. Druckmann emphasized that the TV series prioritizes drama over action, which influenced the decision not to have Dever bulk up for the role.

Craig Mazin added that this version of Abby offers a unique opportunity to explore a character who might be physically more vulnerable but possesses a strong spirit. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of where her formidable nature originates and how it manifests, themes that will be further developed in the series. The comments from Mazin suggest HBO's plans to expand The Last of Us Part 2 across multiple seasons, with Season 2 structured to end at a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, setting the stage for potential future installments.