With
the return
of
The Last of Us
arrives Kaitlyn Dever portraying Abby, a key figure in the storyline.
Part II
as a soldier pursuing revenge in the video game.
But Dever’s history with
The Last of Us
dates back ten years, as she was first considered to portray Ellie (the main character of the series, portrayed by Bella Ramsey) when plans were underway for a movie based on the game.
“I didn’t go through an audition process at all. It mostly involved meetings with [creator] Neil [Druckmann]. I would visit [his video game company] Naughty Dog, where he’d show me how the game was developed and also share some spoilers from the game.”
II
Years prior to its release, I’ve had to bear a significant burden, these past 10 years have been tough, as Dever shared.
The Hollywood Reporter
At the show’s Los Angeles debut on Monday, they shared, “I always viewed it as something special that brought me closer to my father; we would often play the game together. There were several months when I discussed the possibility of portraying Ellie with Neil, but like most filmmaking endeavors, those plans eventually took a different turn.”
She mentioned that once the project changed direction, she was thrilled to witness it transformed into a show. She praised Bella for her incredible performance, noting how magically Bella and Pedro collaborated during the first season, which made her genuinely become a fan. When the opportunity returned under the guise of playing Abby, she felt as though this new chapter had always been destined to be part of her journey, but in a distinct form—an idea that she found truly exciting.
Druckmann acknowledged that both he and co-showrunner Craig Mazin were quite apprehensive as well when it came to this part.
casting Abby
since it’s such an essential part.
Following his long-standing connection with Dever over the years, he mentioned that “it was suggested she take on the role of Abby,” and went on to say, “although casting anyone for a part always comes with some uncertainty, we felt quite positive about her; after seeing how well she performed opposite Bella as well as Pedro, our confidence skyrocketed—we’re so fortunate to have found such talent.”
Mazin added that in looking for their Abby, they needed “somebody who can stand on her own as the hero, as the villain, as somebody we love, as somebody we’re confused by, as somebody we root for and against. They have to make us connect to them in this deep way, and Kaitlyn just has this profound nature – there’s a depth there. I always say there are actors that you want to hang out with but then there are actors you want to hug, and she’s both at the same time.”
In season two, there’s a significant leap forward of five years from the timeline presented in the first season. By this point, Ellie and Joel have found refuge within a community of survivors located in Jackson, Wyoming. Initially, tensions run high between them, and Joel finds himself attending therapy sessions led by a counselor portrayed by Catherine O’Hara.
Mazin mentioned that initially, they considered having Joel go for therapy during season one but decided to postpone it until season two instead. He explained, “In a post-apocalyptic setting where everything operates as a barter system, I constantly wondered about what items could be valuable and which ones wouldn’t,” adding that therapists would indeed prove very beneficial: everyone who has been through trauma needs support.
“As Catherine O’Hara’s character interacts with several others in the narrative—including one who has been mentioned in the games but hasn’t appeared yet—it becomes truly fascinating,” Mazin elaborated. “This interaction allows viewers to glimpse into therapy sessions as well. We often assume patients share everything with their therapists, but delving into which aspects remain unshared adds an intriguing layer.”
Druckmann also commented on the potential longevity of the series, stating his views on how far he envisions it lasting.
Part II
due to the scale of the game being too vast for complete adaptation in a second season, with expectations for a third or possibly even a fourth season.
He mentioned that they prefer having a clear endpoint in sight so they understand the ultimate destination, knowing both the conclusion of the narrative and several key milestones en route. They also identified an optimal stopping point for this season and delved deeper into specifics, determining that the tale necessitates exactly seven episodes. However, although they have clarity about their direction, he admitted that without reconvening with the writing team, he cannot predict the total number of seasons or episodes required to achieve this vision. Their immediate focus now shifts to figuring out these details should they receive approval to continue.
The Last of Us
The second season debuts on April 13 on HBO and Max.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
- Director Kenny Leon and Denzel Washington Are “Definitely” Considering a Possible Film adaptation of ‘Othello’
- ‘The Severance’ Crew Discusses Mark’s Controversial Decision, “Emotionally Charging” Final Scene Filming, and Season 3 Prospects
