Kaitlyn Dever sat down with us in a roundtable interview to talk about the challenges of playing Abby in Season 2 of The Last of Us.
It’s safe to say that fans of The Last of Us are in emotional shambles. Those who’ve played Part II know that, unfortunately, it’s not going to get any better. That doesn’t mean we’re going to stop watching, though.
The second episode of Season 2 saw Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, finally accomplish what she set out to do. It was a moment gamers were bracing for, though judging from the reactions on social media, no amount of preparation helped. For those who hadn’t played the games, it was a shock. And now, much like when the game was originally released back in 2020, Abby has become a point of discussion and sometimes, contention.
Lifestyle Asia got to sit down with Kaitlyn Dever in a roundtable interview before the series premiered to talk about what it was like jumping onboard The Last of Us Season 2 and whether the divisiveness of the role of Abby ever intimidated her.
[Hero image: Liane Hentscher/HBO]
Kaitlyn Dever talks The Last of Us Season 2
Did you reach out to Laura Bailey (who played Abby in the games) to talk about playing Abby and the challenges ahead?
I actually didn’t, mostly because Neil Druckmann really wanted me to just focus on the scripts and not the game. He even asked me not to play the game, although it was a little too late for that, because I had already played through half of the second game, and I’d finished the first game probably twice. I really just focused on the scripts, the text, and creating the character from the ground up with Neil and Craig. Also, it all happened so fast that I didn’t really have the opportunity to speak with her anyway. I loved Laura’s portrayal of Abby in the game, but the team really wanted to do something fresh and different this time around.
What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be doing this series?
I was just so excited. Honestly, the most exciting part was getting to share this with my dad, who’s a big fan of the game. It’s such a big deal all over the world and that’s definitely new for me, to be part of something so loved. There is a lot of pressure when joining something that big, but the cast and crew made me feel so welcomed that it eased a lot of that. I just feel really lucky. It’s so cool to get to be a part of all of this.
How important was it for you to be part of this project, especially since your dad is a big fan of The Last of Us?
It was incredibly important. My dad and I would sit down after dinner and play The Last of Us together. This was about ten years ago. To have this story come back into my life in this way felt very meaningful. It made me think about how what’s meant to be will find its way into your life. It really feels like this was always supposed to be a part of my life somehow, and that’s just surreal.
How did it feel joining the show as a new cast member?
I felt like I was in really good hands. It’s a big role to take on, and the world of The Last of Us is so fast-paced and intense. But Neil and Craig’s confidence in me helped a lot. It’s hard stepping into something so established and joining a new group of people, but they made me feel very welcomed.
Did it scare you to step into such a contentious role, given that fans had such a divisive reaction when she was first introduced in the games?
Not really. I was aware of the conversation around Abby and what Laura Bailey went through. I can’t imagine what that must have felt like. But it didn’t stop me. I like a challenge. The most important thing was giving my 100% to the work, creating this character with Neil and Craig. Whatever happens after that is out of my hands. It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but ultimately, everyone on set made me feel so supported, which really helped.
Knowing that she would be such a contentious character, how did you approach playing her?
Honestly, it was a real thrill to take on a woman like Abby and a role like this. It was exciting to dive deep into her bones, into what drives her anger and her rage. It’s a very different experience for me, joining a franchise of this size and intensity. It’s all new, but I’m really enjoying it.
New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 drop every Monday on Max
