Actress Kaitlyn Dever, set to portray Abby in HBO's eagerly anticipated The Last of Us Season 2, has openly discussed the challenges of dealing with online reactions to her character. Abby, a pivotal character from the game, has been at the center of much controversy and toxicity, with some fans even going as far as to harass Naughty Dog employees like Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, including sending threats and abuse towards Bailey, her parents, and her young son. HBO, anticipating potential backlash, provided Dever with additional security during filming.
Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, commented on the intense reactions, noting, "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 an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Dever shared her thoughts on the anticipation and scrutiny surrounding her portrayal of Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted. She expressed her desire to honor the character and satisfy fans, but emphasized her primary focus was on her collaboration with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to capture Abby's essence, motivations, and emotional complexity.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
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Last month, Neil Druckmann revealed that HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 would adjust Abby's physicality. Unlike the game, where Abby's muscular build was essential for gameplay mechanics, the show focuses more on drama, thus not requiring Dever to undergo a significant physical transformation. Druckmann highlighted the different storytelling priorities in the series, emphasizing the emotional and dramatic elements over constant violent action.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann and Mazin explained that Abby's role in the series doesn't necessitate the same mechanical distinctions from Ellie as in the game. Druckmann praised Dever's casting, saying, "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role." He noted that while Abby in the game needed to be physically imposing, the series shifts focus towards her emotional journey.
Craig Mazin added his perspective, suggesting that Abby in the series could be portrayed as physically more vulnerable but emotionally stronger, exploring the origins and manifestations of her strength. This approach aligns with HBO's plan to extend the narrative of The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, with Season 2 designed to end on a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, hinting at potential future seasons.
