Over the years, video games have introduced some of the most popular characters across all entertainment media. The likes of Super Mario, Lara Croft, and Crash Bandicoot have become mainstays in pop culture. Not every video game character is universally loved, though, and this is certainly the case for Abby, the polarizing character introduced inThe Last of Us Part 2. With the second season of the TV series adaptation set to premiere soon, fans of the game are eagerly awaitingAbby’s on-screen debut.
Game Rant attended a recent press conference with the cast and crew ofThe Last of Us Season 2. They discussed their thoughts on the upcoming season and their experiences shooting it. Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, talked about her initial experiences on set. Writer and producer Craig Mazin was quick to point out the physical lengths Dever went to during filming.
Kaitlyn Dever’s Experience on the Set of The Last of Us 2 Was Extremely Positive
Kaitlyn Dever has plenty of experience working on popular TV shows, withprevious starring roles inDopesickandLast Man Standing. That said, her role as Abby inThe Last of Usis completely different from anything she has done before. Taking on such a polarizing role is commendable, but it turns out Dever knew pretty quickly that she’d made the right decision. Regarding her first day on set, Dever said,
‘‘I was nervous, I was anxious, but also very excited. I’ve been a huge fan of this game and the show for a very long time. The world of The Last of Us is so big! you’re able to definitely feel that. I felt less nervous once I got onto set though, just because of this wonderful group of people I got to work with. It really felt like I was being cared for and taken care of in a way that I haven’t ever really experienced ever before. So, it was really a thrill as a person and an actor.’’
Craig Mazin On Dever’s Performance as Abby
With most of Dever’s other roles being in either comedy or drama, Mazin and Neil Druckmann were initially curious how she would respond to being thrust into amore physical role inThe Last of Us. This curiosity was quickly satiated once they started shooting, and they were amazed at the lengths she was willing to go to. Mazin explained,
‘‘Kaitlyn did things that I’m not sure she even should have done. I don’t know how she did them. When we meet new performers, we’re sort of curious as to what they can actually do. What are they comfortable with? Kaitlyn would just never say no. It was amazing. When you see how physical, just how physically tremendous her performance is, it’s insane.’’
Dever’s commitment to the role highlights her willingness to fully immerse herself in Abby’s character. Despite not having the same imposing physical frame as her video game counterpart, it seems her portrayal of Abby will be equally physical in its own way. It remains to be seen whether her role in the story will play outexactly like inThe Last of Us Part 2, or if the show has deviated from this at all.
The Last Of Us
Cast
Based on Naughty Dog’s popular PlayStation game, HBO’s The Last of Us takes place decades after a fungal infection eradicated most of humanity. When a teenage girl named Ellie is found to be immune to the disease, Joel agrees to smuggle her across the United States.
