Kaitlyn Dever addresses the intense criticisms over her casting as the infamous Abby in the upcoming season of 'The Last of Us' TV series ahead of her debut on the show.
- March 17, 2025
AceShowbiz - Kaitlyn Dever, known for her role as the antagonist Abby in "The Last of Us Part II" video game, will make her debut in Season Two of "The Last of Us" television series on April 13. This casting decision has generated significant controversy among the gaming community.
In the game, Abby is a soldier entangled in the conflicts of a post-apocalyptic militia and a cultish religion. She frequently clashes with co-lead Ellie, resulting in dire consequences.
Some fans have expressed their displeasure with Abby's actions and character, which has spilled over into negative reactions toward Dever's casting.
Dever spoke to Screen Rant about the difficulty of facing online criticism. "It's hard not to stop myself from looking at it every once in a while, especially going into this, for sure," she said. "And I want to do this character justice and make the fans proud by bringing her to life in this kind of way."
The upcoming season follows Pedro Pascal's Joel and Bella Ramsey's Ellie as they navigate a post-apocalyptic United States. After abandoning their search for a society-saving miracle, Joel and Ellie settle in Jackson, Wyoming. Trouble arises when Abby, seeking vengeance for her father's death, crosses their paths.
In the video game, Abby's confrontations with Joel have also been a source of anger among players. This intense backlash reportedly led Dever to take extra security measures.
Co-star Isabela Merced said in an August episode of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, "There's so many strange people in this world because there are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person."
Season Two also sees the return of actors Gabriel Luna and Young Mazino. As the premiere date approaches, Dever remains focused on delivering an authentic portrayal of Abby.
"But my main focus was just the collaboration between [Showrunners] Neil and Craig, and making sure I was really getting to the core of who she is and what drives her and her emotional state; her anger and her frustration and her grief and all of that," she emphasized. "I wanted to make sure that that was what I was focusing most of my energy on."
