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

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays Abby in HBO's eagerly anticipated The Last of Us Season 2, has openly shared her struggles with resisting the urge to check online reactions to her character. Abby, a pivotal and polarizing figure from the game, has been at the center of much controversy, with some fans expressing their dissatisfaction in extreme ways, including harassing Naughty Dog employees like Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey. The harassment escalated to threats and abuse directed at Bailey, her parents, and even her young son.

Due to the intense backlash, HBO took precautionary measures during the filming of Season 2, providing Dever with additional security to safeguard against potential threats. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, commented on the surreal nature of such fan reactions, reminding everyone that Abby is, after all, a fictional character.

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In a candid interview with ScreenRant, Dever admitted the difficulty of avoiding online commentary about her portrayal of Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she explained, highlighting her desire to honor the character and satisfy the fans while navigating the online noise. Her primary focus, however, remains on collaborating closely with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to capture Abby's essence—her motivations, emotions, and the complexities of her character.

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Last month, Druckmann revealed that the HBO adaptation would not portray Abby as muscular as in the game, as the show's narrative does not require the same mechanical distinctions between Abby and Ellie. In a discussion with Entertainment Weekly, both Druckmann and Mazin explained that Dever did not need to bulk up for the role because the series emphasizes drama over the video game's action mechanics. Druckmann emphasized the unique gameplay differences between Abby and Ellie in the game, which are less relevant in the show's context.

Mazin added that this adaptation provides an opportunity to explore Abby's vulnerability and strength of spirit, delving into the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature. This exploration aligns with HBO's plans to extend the story of The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, unlike the first season which covered the entirety of the original game. Mazin has indicated that while Season 3 is not yet confirmed, Season 2 is structured with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, setting the stage for further development of the story.