Summary
- Kaitlyn Dever's Abby needed extra security while filming The Last of Us season 2 due to the controversial nature of her character.
- Abby is a divisive character due to one specific plot point from the video game.
- Dever's casting has already proved somewhat controversial due to her physical differences from how Abby is portrayed in The Last of Us Part II .
The Last of Us season 2 star Isabela Merced reveals that one of her co-stars needed extra security on set. Based on the acclaimed Naughty Dog video game franchse of the same name, HBO's The Last of Us premiered in 2023, introducing audiences to Pedro Pascal's Joel and Bella Ramsey's Ellie as they traverse a post-apocalyptic version of the U.S. After rave reviews and strong viewership, The Last of Us season 2 is confirmed to arrive in 2025, and it's set to introduce new characters from the games, including Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, and Kaitlyn Dever as Abbey.
During a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, Merced opens up about the experience making The Last of Us season 2, revealing that Dever was given extra security on set.
Abby remains a controversial character from the games, and as Merced explains, this makes Dever herself a target. To head off any potential threats, it was ensured that the actor had some extra protection. Check out Merced's comment below:
“There are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person. Just a reminder, not a real person. And so Kaitlyn had to be extra secured by security when it came to the filming of this.”
Abby Will Be Controversial In The Last Of Us Season 2
Why Kaitlyn Dever's Character Is Sure To Be Divisive
Major spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Part II video game and potentially for The Last of Us season 2.
Reviews for The Last of Us season 1 were glowing from critics, with praise heaped on how co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckman adapted the world and characters of the hit video game. Though both Mazin and Druckmann are back in these same roles for season 2, parts of the sophomore outing are very likely to prove controversial. The main reason why Abby will be a divisive figure in the show is, of course, because of one crucial plot point from The Last of Us Part II.
The Last of Us season 2 will consist of only 7 episodes, down from 9 in season 1.
In the sequel video game, Abby kills Joel, with the story ultimately becoming about Ellie's quest for revenge and whether this mission will consume her. It's not yet clear whether Abby will kill Joel in The Last of Us season 2, as the creators have both hinted that they won't necessarily be adapting the game beat-for-beat. It has, however, been teased that revenge will be a key theme in the show's sophomore outing. If Dever's character does kill Pascal's, the show is recreating one of the game's most controversial moments, and there is sure to be push back.
Outside of the Abby plot point with Joel, however, Dever has already proven to be a somewhat controversial Last of Us season 2 casting because of her physical differences from the game character. In the game, Abby is presented as physically imposing with a very muscular physique, and some complaints have arisen stating that Dever doesn't have these same qualities. No matter what happens in The Last of Us season 2, the next batch of episodes is sure to be somewhat divisive, potentially both for those who want the show to be exactly like the game and for those who hope one key plot point isn't included.
