Kaitlyn Dever Addresses Online Buzz for The Last of Us Season 2 Role

Actress Kaitlyn Dever has shared insights on portraying Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, noting the challenge of ignoring online reactions to her casting.

The character of Abby has sparked significant controversy, with some fans directing hostility toward Naughty Dog staff, including Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, through threats and harassment aimed at her, her parents, and her young son.

HBO took precautions during Season 2 filming, providing Dever with additional security due to potential backlash. "It's bizarre that some people harbor such intense hatred for Abby, a fictional character," remarked Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in Season 2.

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In a recent ScreenRant interview, Dever was asked about her awareness of the anticipation surrounding her portrayal of Abby.

“It’s tough to avoid seeing those comments online,” she admitted.

“I occasionally find myself checking reactions, especially heading into this project. My goal is to honor this character and make fans proud by bringing her to life authentically.

My primary focus was working closely with Neil and Craig [Mazin] to capture Abby’s essence—her motivations, emotions, anger, grief, and struggles. That’s where I poured most of my energy.”

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Last month, Druckmann revealed that HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2 will present a less physically imposing Abby, as her role in Season 2 focuses less on replicating video game mechanics.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann and co-showrunner Craig Mazin explained that Dever didn’t need to physically transform for the role, as Abby’s distinct mechanics compared to Ellie were less critical in the show.

“Finding someone as talented as Kaitlyn for this role was our priority,” Druckmann noted. “In the game, Ellie and Abby have contrasting playstyles—Ellie is nimble, while Abby is more physically dominant, like Joel, handling challenges with brute force.

“In the show, that distinction matters less because the focus shifts from constant action to deeper drama. There’s still action, but the storytelling priorities are different.”

Mazin added: “This version of Abby offers a chance to explore a character who may appear physically vulnerable but possesses immense inner strength. The question is: where does her resilience come from, and how does it shine through? That’s a theme we’ll unpack now and in future seasons.”

Mazin’s comment hints at HBO’s plan to extend The Last of Us Part 2 across multiple seasons, unlike Season 1, which fully adapted the first game. With more story to tell, Mazin noted that Season 2, spanning seven episodes, is designed with a natural pause, though Season 3 has not yet been confirmed.