Kaitlyn Dever joins the cast for HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 in the critical role of Abby. She’s now discussed the upcoming season, saying she hopes to “do the character justice” and make fans happy. She also talked about stepping into a role in an established franchise with a devoted fanbase, which is something new for her. Beyond that, Dever shot down an off-screen rumor about needing extra security during the production of Season 2.
“Moving forward and being a part of such a big and very, very loved franchise, it is something that I haven’t ever done before, and I’m learning every day just how to move forward in this new world that is the Last of Us fandom,” she told Variety. “I think it is always hard stepping into that, especially because it’s already had its [first] season and I’m the newbie to the world. But I think that I’m almost treating it and approaching it like I do with everything, which is just wanting to come at it with authenticity and honesty and trying to be as organic as I can when approaching the role and bringing my own sort of energy to it, if that makes sense. I want to do the character justice, and I hope that people enjoy what I do with that.”
Also in the interview, Dever pushed back against a rumor that was making the rounds in 2024. Her The Last of Us co-star Isabela Merced, who plays Dina, said Dever needed extra security due to the polarizing nature of Abby. Dever said this is simply not true. “Well, firstly, I have to say, actually, that’s not true, and I didn’t ever personally say that. I know that was said a while ago, and it is not true,” she said.
Abby the character generated a lot of heated discussion when The Last of Us Part II came out in 2020, and the expectation is that the cycle will repeat itself with Abby on the TV show. Laura Bailey played Abby in the video game, and she recalled the abuse she faced, including death threats against her infant son.
In other news about Abby, it’s been confirmed that Dever did not bulk up to become muscly like Abby is in the game. Showrunner Neil Druckmann told Entertainment Weekly that part of it came down simply to casting. “We would’ve struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role,” he said. He also pointed out how the game and the TV show were never aiming to offer the same kind of experience.
Abby not being as muscly in the TV show as the game may not be the only change for Season 2. Showrunner and writer Craig Mazin has said he expects Season 2 to elicit “furor” from fans of the game, due in part to how the second season will depart from the story of the game. Mazin said, “We don’t operate to either make people happy on social media or avoid making them upset. We just do what we think is right.”
The Last of Us Season 2 debuts this April on HBO and Max, though a specific date hasn’t been announced–it could be April 13.
As for the game series, Druckmann has heavily teased that The Last of Us Part 3 is in the works. Developer Naughty Dog has two single-player games in the works now, including Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and a second that many believe to be The Last of Us Part 3.
