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, set to portray Abby in the highly anticipated second season of HBO's *The Last of Us*, has opened up about the challenges of dealing with online reactions to her character. Abby, a pivotal and controversial figure from the video game series, has been at the center of significant fan backlash and toxicity, with some individuals even resorting to harassing Naughty Dog employees, including co-president Neil Druckmann and actress Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the game. The harassment extended to Bailey's family, including her young son, highlighting the extreme reactions from certain fans.

The intensity of the response prompted HBO to take additional security measures for Dever during the filming of Season 2. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the series, commented on the absurdity of the situation, reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character. "There's so many strange people in this world because there are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder: not a real person," Merced stated, emphasizing the need for perspective.

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In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dever admitted the difficulty of avoiding online discussions about her portrayal of Abby. "Well, it's hard not to see those things on the internet," she said. Dever expressed her desire to honor the character and satisfy fans by authentically bringing Abby to life. Her primary focus, however, remains on collaborating with showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to delve deeply into Abby's emotional journey, capturing her anger, frustration, and grief.

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Last month, Druckmann revealed that the HBO adaptation would not depict Abby as the muscular figure seen in the game, as the show's narrative does not require the same mechanical distinctions between her and Ellie. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, both Druckmann and Mazin explained that Dever did not need to physically bulk up for the role. Druckmann noted that while the game required players to experience both Ellie and Abby's perspectives with distinct gameplay mechanics, the show prioritizes drama over constant action.

Mazin added that the adaptation presents an opportunity to explore Abby's vulnerability and inner strength, questioning where her resilience comes from and how it manifests. This approach aligns with HBO's plans to extend the story of *The Last of Us Part 2* beyond a single season. Although Season 3 has not been confirmed, Mazin has mentioned that Season 2 is structured with a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, allowing for potential future exploration of the story.