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 the target of significant online toxicity, with harassment extending to Naughty Dog employees, including Neil Druckmann and Laura Bailey, involving threats and abuse. This negative reception prompted HBO to provide Dever with additional security during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hate towards a fictional character, emphasizing that Abby is not a real person.

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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever discussed the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby, admitting it's challenging to avoid online commentary. She emphasized her commitment to doing the character justice and making fans proud, focusing her energy on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to understand Abby's core motivations, emotions (anger, frustration, grief), and inner life.

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Neil Druckmann clarified that the HBO adaptation will depict Abby differently than in the game, noting that the show doesn't require her to emulate the same physicality due to a shift in narrative focus. Druckmann and Craig Mazin explained to Entertainment Weekly that Dever's casting was ideal, as the show prioritizes drama over moment-to-moment violent action. They highlighted the opportunity to portray a physically vulnerable yet spiritually strong Abby, exploring the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature. The comment about "now and later" suggests plans to extend Abby's story beyond a single season. While Season 3 isn't confirmed, Mazin indicated that Season 2, comprising seven episodes, will conclude with a natural breakpoint, given the extensive story material in The Last of Us Part 2.