Kaitlyn Dever has been confirmed as a new addition to the cast of HBO’s “The Last of Us” for its second season, where she will play the pivotal character, Abby. In recent discussions about the upcoming season, Dever expressed her aspirations to “do the character justice” and satisfy the series’ enthusiastic fans. She also shared her experiences of joining a well-loved franchise and addressed a false rumor concerning the need for additional security during the filming of the new season.
Embracing a Beloved Franchise
In an interview with Variety, Dever revealed her feelings about joining the iconic series. “Moving forward and being a part of such a big and very, very loved franchise is something that I haven’t ever done before. I’m learning every day how to navigate this new world that is the Last of Us fandom,” she explained. Dever acknowledged the challenges of joining a show that has already completed a successful first season and where she is considered the newcomer. She intends to approach her role with authenticity and honesty, adding her unique energy to the character. “I want to do the character justice, and I hope that people enjoy what I bring to it,” she added.
Addressing Security Rumors
During the interview, Dever also took the opportunity to clarify a recent rumor regarding her safety on set. Previously, her co-star Isabela Merced, who portrays Dina, mentioned that Dever required extra security due to the polarizing nature of her character, Abby. Dever firmly denied these claims, stating, “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, but it is not true.”
The Character of Abby and Expected Reactions
The character of Abby has been a topic of intense debate since her introduction in “The Last of Us Part II” released in 2020. With Abby now set to appear in the TV series, similar reactions are anticipated. Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the video game, faced significant backlash, including threats, which highlighted the character’s controversial nature.
Physical Portrayal and Story Changes
It has been confirmed that Kaitlyn Dever did not undergo a physical transformation to match the muscular build of Abby as depicted in the video game. Showrunner Neil Druckmann discussed the casting choice with Entertainment Weekly, emphasizing that finding someone who could match Dever’s acting capabilities would have been challenging. He also noted that the TV show aims to offer a different experience from the game.
Additionally, showrunner and writer Craig Mazin hinted at potential deviations from the video game’s storyline in Season 2, which he believes will provoke strong reactions from the fans. “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,” Mazin stated.
Season 2 Premiere and Future Developments
“The Last of Us” Season 2 is set to premiere this April on HBO and Max, although a specific launch date has not yet been released; it might be April 13. Meanwhile, Neil Druckmann has hinted at the possibility of “The Last of Us Part 3” being in development, with developer Naughty Dog working on two single-player games, one of which is speculated to be the next installment in the “The Last of Us” series.
