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

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, who will portray Abby in the highly anticipated second season of HBO's *The Last of Us*, has opened up about the challenges she faces with the internet's reaction to her character. The role of Abby, known from the video game *The Last of Us Part II*, has been a focal point of controversy and toxicity, particularly directed at the character's actions. This hostility has even extended to real-life harassment of Naughty Dog employees, including co-president Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the game. The threats and abuse have targeted not only Bailey but also her family, including her young son.

HBO took the potential for such backlash seriously during the filming of Season 2, providing Dever with additional security measures. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, commented on the absurdity of the situation, saying, "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."

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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dever admitted to the difficulty of avoiding online reactions. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she said. She further elaborated on her approach to the role, expressing her desire to do justice to Abby's character and honor the fans' expectations. Dever emphasized her focus on collaborating closely with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to capture Abby's emotional depth, including her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Last month, Neil Druckmann discussed the adaptation of *The Last of Us Part II* for HBO, noting that Abby's portrayal would differ from the game. He explained to *Entertainment Weekly* that the physicality of Abby in the game, designed to contrast with Ellie's gameplay mechanics, would not be as crucial in the series. "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role," Druckmann said, highlighting that the show's focus would be more on drama than on emulating the game's mechanics.

Craig Mazin added that the series could explore Abby's character in a way that emphasizes her emotional and spiritual strength rather than her physical prowess. He hinted at the potential for deeper exploration of Abby's nature in future seasons, suggesting HBO's intention to expand *The Last of Us Part II* beyond a single season. Although Season 3 has not been officially confirmed, Mazin mentioned that Season 2 is structured with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, indicating a thoughtful approach to pacing and storytelling.