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

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, set to portray Abby in the much-anticipated second season of HBO's The Last of Us, has opened up about the challenges of tuning out the internet's reaction to her character. The role of Abby has stirred significant controversy and toxicity within the gaming community, with some fans expressing their discontent through extreme actions, including the harassment of Naughty Dog employees like Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey. Such vitriol has extended to threats and abuse directed at Bailey, her parents, and even her young child.

In light of this intense backlash, HBO took extra precautions during the filming of Season 2, providing Dever with additional security to protect against potential escalation of hostilities. Reflecting on the situation, fellow cast member Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the absurdity of such reactions, reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character. "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," Merced emphasized.

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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dever shared her thoughts on the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted. She elaborated on her struggle to resist checking online feedback, particularly as she prepared for the role. "It's hard not to stop myself from looking at it every once in a while, especially going into this, for sure. And I want to do this character justice and make the fans proud by bringing her to life in this kind of way."

However, Dever's primary focus remained on her collaboration with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, the show's creators. She emphasized her commitment to delving into Abby's emotional core, understanding what drives her character, and capturing her complex feelings of anger, frustration, and grief.

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Last month, Druckmann discussed the adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 for HBO, revealing that Abby's character in the series would not emphasize her muscular build as heavily as in the video game. This decision stems from the show's different narrative priorities, which focus more on drama than on replicating the game's mechanics. Druckmann explained to Entertainment Weekly that Abby's role in the series doesn't require the same physical distinction from Ellie as in the game. "We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role," Druckmann praised. He highlighted that the game's need for players to experience both Ellie and Abby's perspectives differently, with Abby's gameplay feeling more akin to Joel's brute strength, is less relevant in the TV format where the focus is more on emotional storytelling.

Craig Mazin added his perspective, suggesting that the adaptation presents an opportunity to explore Abby's character in a new light. He believes that a less physically imposing Abby can still be portrayed with a strong spirit, prompting a deeper exploration of where her strength truly comes from and how it manifests. This approach aligns with HBO's plans to extend the story of The Last of Us Part 2 over multiple seasons, unlike the first season which covered the entirety of the original game in a single season. While Season 3 has not been confirmed, Mazin noted that Season 2 has been designed with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, setting the stage for further storytelling.