Kaitlyn Dever on The Last of Us Season 2 Backlash

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 faced 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. This negative response prompted HBO to provide Dever with additional security during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hatred towards a fictional character, emphasizing that Abby is not a real person.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever discussed the anticipation surrounding her performance. She admitted to occasionally checking online responses, driven by a desire to do justice to the character and satisfy fans. However, her primary focus remained on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, aiming to understand Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and the driving forces behind 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 portray Abby differently than in the game, notably less muscular. This decision, explained in an Entertainment Weekly interview, stems from the differing priorities between the game's mechanics and the show's focus on drama. Druckmann highlighted the casting of Dever as a significant success, emphasizing that the game's requirement for distinct gameplay between Ellie and Abby doesn't translate directly to the show. Craig Mazin added that the show explores Abby's formidable nature through a different lens, focusing on her inner strength rather than solely her physical prowess. The show's creators intend to expand the story beyond a single season, with Season 2 designed to have a natural ending point after seven episodes, suggesting plans for future seasons.