Actress Kaitlyn Dever, cast as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, acknowledges the difficulty of ignoring online reactions to her portrayal. The character of Abby has been the target of significant online toxicity, with harassment directed at Naughty Dog employees, including Neil Druckmann and Laura Bailey, extending to threats and abuse against Bailey's family. This online hostility prompted HBO to provide Dever with additional security during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina, commented on the disturbing reality of fans directing hatred towards a fictional character, reminding everyone that Abby is not a real person.
The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters
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In a ScreenRant interview, Dever addressed the anticipation surrounding her performance. She admitted to occasionally checking online responses, driven by a desire to do justice to the character and satisfy fans. However, her primary focus remained on collaborating with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, delving into Abby's core motivations, emotional state, and the complexities of her anger, frustration, and grief.
The Last of Us Season 2 Cast: Who's New and Coming Back to the HBO Show?
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Neil Druckmann recently clarified that the HBO adaptation will deviate from the game's depiction of Abby's physique. He explained to Entertainment Weekly that Dever's casting negated the need for her to physically emulate the game's Abby, whose musculature was tied to specific gameplay mechanics. Druckmann emphasized that the show prioritizes drama over moment-to-moment violent action, allowing for a different approach to Abby's character. Craig Mazin added that this adaptation presents an opportunity to explore a more physically vulnerable yet spiritually stronger Abby, focusing on the origins and manifestations of her formidable nature.
The suggestion of a "natural breakpoint" after seven episodes, as mentioned by Mazin, hints at HBO's potential plans to extend the story beyond a single season, unlike Season 1. While a Season 3 is not yet confirmed, Mazin previously indicated that The Last of Us Part 2 offers ample material for future installments.
