Kaitlyn Dever struggles with Abby role spoilers

Actress Kaitlyn Dever has opened up about portraying Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, confessing she struggles to avoid reading online reactions to the controversial character.

The role of Abby has historically drawn significant backlash, with some fans directing harassment toward Naughty Dog developers including Neil Druckmann and voice actress Laura Bailey. This escalated to disturbing threats against Bailey, her parents, and her toddler.

HBO took precautions during production, providing Dever with additional security due to concerns about potential retaliation. "It's shocking how many people direct real hatred toward Abby, who's purely fictional," noted Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the upcoming season. "She's not an actual person - that's worth remembering."

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In a recent ScreenRant interview, Dever addressed whether she follows fan expectations about her portrayal:

"Honestly, it's impossible to completely avoid online discussions," she admitted. "I do catch glimpses occasionally, especially preparing for this role. My priority is honoring Abby's essence - doing justice to her rage, her grief, all her emotional complexity through this new interpretation."

"What truly guided me was collaborating with Neil and Craig [Mazin], focusing on understanding Abby's motivations and psychological depth. That's where I channeled my energy."

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Druckmann recently clarified that HBO's Abby won't mirror her extremely muscular video game counterpart, as the show's priorities differ from gameplay mechanics. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he explained:

"Finding someone as talented as Kaitlyn mattered more than matching physicality. The game needed distinct playstyles - Ellie's agility versus Abby's brute strength. Our adaptation focuses more on emotional drama than combat mechanics."

Mazin added: "This adaptation explores how strength manifests differently. Abby's power might appear more psychological than physical, revealing new dimensions to her character."

The showrunners confirmed Season 2 will cover only part of The Last of Us Part II's storyline. Though Season 3 remains unconfirmed, Mazin noted they've structured Season 2 with a narrative break after seven episodes, allowing room for continuation.