Actress Kaitlyn Dever, cast as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, acknowledges the challenge of ignoring online reactions to her portrayal. The character of Abby has been the target of 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. HBO took this into account during filming, providing Dever with additional security. 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: "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted. "It's hard not to stop myself from looking at it every once in a while, especially going into this. And I want to do this character justice and make the fans proud by bringing her to life. But my main focus was the collaboration with Neil and Craig [Mazin], and ensuring I understood Abby's core motivations, her anger, frustration, grief—all of it."
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
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Neil Druckmann explained to Entertainment Weekly that the HBO adaptation diverges from the game's depiction of Abby's physique. Dever didn't need to undergo a significant physical transformation because the show prioritizes drama over replicating the game's mechanics. Druckmann praised Dever's casting, highlighting the differing needs for Ellie and Abby's portrayal in the game versus the show. Craig Mazin added that the series explores a more "physically vulnerable" yet spiritually stronger Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature. The show's creators intend to adapt The Last of Us Part II beyond a single season, aiming for a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes in Season 2, suggesting future installments are planned.
