The Last of Us Season 2's Abby, Kaitlyn Dever, Says It's 'Hard Not to See Those Things on the Internet'

Actress Kaitlyn Dever, who takes on the role of Abby in HBO's eagerly awaited *The Last of Us Season 2*, has opened up about the challenges of dealing with online reactions to her character. Despite the anticipation and excitement surrounding the show, Abby has been a focal point for a significant amount of negativity and toxicity online. This hostility isn't just limited to the character but has unfortunately extended to real-life harassment of Naughty Dog employees, including co-president Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the video game. The harassment has been severe, with threats and abusive messages directed at Bailey, her family, and even her young child.

Recognizing the intensity of the backlash, HBO took proactive measures during the filming of Season 2, providing Dever with additional security to ensure her safety. This decision underscores the serious nature of the fan reactions. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, emphasized the surreal nature of the hostility, reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character, not a real person.

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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dever candidly shared her struggle with avoiding online feedback about her portrayal of Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she admitted. She expressed a desire to honor the character and make the fans proud, focusing primarily on her collaboration with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to capture Abby's emotional depth, including her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Neil Druckmann, in a statement last month, clarified that the HBO adaptation of *The Last of Us Part 2* will not portray Abby as the muscular figure seen in the game. This decision stems from the show's narrative focus shifting away from the need to emulate video game mechanics. Druckmann and co-showrunner Craig Mazin explained to *Entertainment Weekly* that Dever did not need to bulk up for the role because Abby's physicality is less critical to the storytelling in the series. Instead, the series emphasizes drama over the constant action seen in the game.

Druckmann praised Dever's casting, highlighting the unique challenge of portraying Abby and Ellie differently in the game due to gameplay mechanics. However, he noted that in the TV series, the focus is more on emotional and dramatic elements rather than physical differences. Mazin added that the adaptation provides an opportunity to explore a version of Abby who might be physically more vulnerable but possesses a stronger spirit, delving into where her strength comes from and how it manifests.

This shift in focus hints at HBO's plan to extend the narrative of *The Last of Us Part 2* beyond a single season, unlike the first season which covered the entirety of the original game. Mazin mentioned that while Season 3 has not been officially greenlit, Season 2 has been structured with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, allowing for a potential continuation of the story.