Kaitlyn Dever`s portrayal of Abby in the second season of HBO`s “The Last of Us” has garnered significant attention, earning both critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination amidst intense fan discussion. Dever took on this challenging role during a deeply personal period, navigating profound grief while embodying one of gaming`s most polarizing figures.
A Father`s Insight and Early Inspiration
In a recent conversation with Deadline, Dever shared that her initial connection to the character of Abby was largely influenced by her father`s fervent admiration. His strong opinions on Abby played a key role in shaping her performance, which was later enriched by her own experiences of loss and resilience.
“It was actually my dad`s thoughts and opinions on Abby that were way stronger than mine,” she stated. Long before any casting discussions, he had urged her to watch the conclusion of the second game, insisting, “You need to sit down, and you just need to watch this.”
Initially, she dismissed the suggestion, but soon after, she received the call to meet with showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin. After experiencing Abby`s early gameplay, Dever found herself captivated by the character`s formidable strength and intricate nature.
Embracing Strength and Creative Freedom
“Just from my initial understanding, she was a very, very, very, very strong woman. And that in and of itself was intriguing to me,” Dever explained. Following her discussions with Druckmann and Mazin, she gained deeper insights into their vision for the role, which further heightened her enthusiasm. “This made me even more excited to take on this kind of role.”
Dever appreciated the balance between drawing inspiration from Laura Bailey`s original game performance and the significant creative latitude afforded by Craig and Neil. She never felt confined or “pigeonholed,” which she found exhilarating.
Navigating Public Scrutiny and Finding Support
Despite some fan criticism regarding her casting, Dever affirmed that potential backlash never influenced her decision to accept the role. “I would`ve never not done it because of the fear of reading the internet,” she asserted, though she did admit to checking early season reviews. “I`m human, so I can`t help but look at those things.” However, the unwavering support from the production crew provided her with a crucial sense of security. “In Season 2, I felt so taken care of,” she shared. This, combined with the positive reception for the season, has left her eagerly anticipating Season 3: “It`s pure excitement to be part of such a cool show.”
Channeling Personal Grief into Performance
Dever`s performance was profoundly shaped by a personal tragedy: she began filming shortly after the loss of her mother. She explicitly channeled her grief into Abby`s challenging emotional journey within the series. “I still felt like I was doing The Last of Us for her,” she revealed. The striking emotional parallels between Abby`s struggles and her own personal experience deepened her connection to the role and enriched her portrayal.
Reflecting on Abby`s complex motivations, Dever noted, “She thinks that [what she did to Joel] will make her feel better…and she doesn`t. She’s just as broken as everybody else on this show…” She highlighted Abby`s capacity to internalize heavy emotions, which contributes to her strength. “It`s just how much she`s had to go through, how much she’s seen in her life, and how she perseveres and how she pushes through and keeps going. But again, that`s not that different from a lot of the other characters in this story.”
Accolades and Future Prospects
Ahead of the September 14 award ceremony, “The Last of Us” secured an impressive 16 Emmy nominations, including nods for Bella Ramsey, Geoffrey Wright, Catherine O`Hara, and even Pedro Pascal in a Lead category despite his limited appearance. While Season 3 has been greenlit, Dever`s co-star Bella Ramsey confirmed that scripts have not yet been received, nor has a definite shooting start date been set.