Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in a still from The Last of Us Season 2
The Last of Us season 2 is almost upon us. Based on a video game created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us is set 20 years after a fungus ravaged the earth, leaving hoards of ravenous, raging infected attacking the quarantined zones. Season 1 was a cross country trip undertaken by a battle-weary Joel (Pedro Pascal) escorting a special teenager, Ellie (Bella Ramsey).
Season 2 was greenlit just two weeks after the premiere and is set five years after the events of season 1. Ellie is now 19 and has a mysteriously strained relationship with Joel. Season 2 introduces the contentious character of Abby, who is driven by the desire to avenge the death of a loved one. Laura Bailey, who portrayed Abby in the game, faced bouquets and brickbats in equal measure, the former for her skill in bringing the character alive and the latter for the choices the character makes.
Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in the show, says she was aware of the conversations surrounding Abby and her character online. “I know of the complications that Laura had to face,” Kaitlyn says over a video call. “I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. I was certainly aware of it, going into the role, but it was in no way going to stop me from taking on the role.”
It was the kind of challenge the 28-year-old actor relished. “I do like a challenge in the work that I do. It makes me feel accomplished. I certainly was thinking about it (the online chatter), but it didn’t overtake my brain space in a way that hindered the process of bringing Abby to life.”
The job, the Apple Cider Vinegar actor said, was important. “Whatever happens after that, I don’t have control over. All I have control over is giving my 100% effort to this character and creating who that is with Neil and Craig. It was a little nerve-wracking at first but ultimately, everyone on set made me feel so supported.”
In his first meeting with Kaitlyn, Druckmann asked her to focus on the script and not the game. “He actually asked me not to play the game, even though it was a little late, because I had already played through half of the second part. I played the first game probably twice through. I didn’t play the rest of part 2.”
Focusing on the text, Kaitlyn says she created the character from the ground up with Druckmann and Mazin. “All of it happened so fast that I didn’t have the opportunity to speak with Laura, but I loved her portrayal of Abby in the game. Neil and Craig were focused on doing something fresh and different with this take.”
Despite Season 1 being a critical and commercial success, Kaitlyn did not let the pressure overwhelm her. “The Last of Us is such a big deal around the world, and being part of such a big franchise that is so loved is definitely new for me. I was able to take some of the pressure away — there is a lot of pressure when you’re joining something that big. I was lucky as I was welcomed by the cast and crew as a new element to the story. It is so cool to get to be a part of all of this.”
With her father, Tim Dever, being a huge fan of the game, Kaitlyn was excited to share the news of her casting with him. “That’s the most exciting part of my job — getting to share this stuff with my family. Ten years ago, my dad and I spent many nights at home after dinner playing The Last of Us. And now to have this come back into my life in the form of playing Abby is a big deal. We just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. It felt like The Last of Us was always supposed to be in my life in some way. And that feels surreal.”
Playing the antagonist in a well-regarded video game adaptation and having some pretty big shoes to fill, according to Kaitlyn, was made easy thanks to Mazin and Druckmann. “I felt like I was in good hands. The world of The Last of Us is fast-paced and intense, it is jarring and shocking in so many ways. I feel confident because of the confidence that Neil and Craig had in me in taking on this role. I had to trust that they wanted me to be here (laughs).”
While admitting that stepping into something so big is a hard thing, Kaitlyn says, “Stepping into a new group of people, it’s hard not to feel like an outsider, but they made me feel welcomed and loved.”
Without getting into spoiler territory (though a gamer assures me The Last of Us is not about spoilers, but the journey), Kaitlyn says taking on the role of Abby was a thrill. “It is exciting to dive into the bones of who she is and what drives her anger and her rage.”
The Last of Us Season 2 premiers on Jio Hotstar on April 14
Published – April 10, 2025 12:18 am IST
