The Evolving Character of Abby in The Last of Us Season 2: A Shift from Action to Drama

The creator of The Last of Us, Neil Druckmann, explains that Abby appears somewhat distinct from the video games because the television adaptation emphasizes the narrative more than the game’s frequent violence.

“There isn’t as much intense action on a regular basis. It’s more focused on the drama. I’m not implying there’s no action present. It’s just, once more, a matter of different priorities and the approach taken. Kaitlyn embodies the essence of the game. What I always appreciated about the concept was that you would be continuously challenged as you were in season 1,” Druckmann stated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Kaitlyn Dever, who was a fan cast for Ellie and notably auditioned for the role when The Last of Us was initially being considered as a feature film, is set to portray Abby. HBO describes Abby as “a skilled soldier whose black-and-white perception of the world is challenged as she seeks revenge for those she loved” – deliberately leaving her key characteristics ambiguous (and if you have played The Last of Us: Part II, you’ll understand why). Dever resembles Bella Ramsey’s Ellie more than actress Laura Bailey, who provided both the motion capture and voice for Abby in the game.

“Selecting a hero is challenging because we are human beings, we’re not heroes. For every heroic deed, there’s another person suffering on the other side who might view you as a villain. When you observe Kaitlyn, there’s something in her gaze that allows you to connect with her, regardless of her experiences. It was vital that we found someone we could relate to in the same way we relate to Bella.”

Pedro Pascal will return as Joel, alongside Bella Ramsey reprising her role as Ellie. The remainder of the main cast includes Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus) as Dina and Young Mazino (Beef) as Jesse.

The Last of Us season 2 will premiere on Max in April. For more information, check out our lists of the best shows on Max.