The Last of Us Creator Confirms Major Abby Change for HBO Series (And It Makes Sense)

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In a surprising twist for fans, the creators of HBO’s “The Last of Us” have disclosed a significant alteration in one of the series’ key new characters, named Abby, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever from “Booksmart.” The upcoming TV adaptation will introduce Abby, a character who stirred controversy in the second video game. While trailers for the new season offer glimpses of Dever’s performance, her role hasn’t been heavily featured thus far. However, the creator of “The Last of Us” has spoken up to explain why this on-screen Abby differs from gamers’ initial expectations regarding her physical appearance, while retaining her core personality traits.

During an interview with EW for the upcoming second season, set to premiere in April, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann shared insights on the character of Abby, played by Laura Bailey in the series. Notably, Druckmann opted to alter Abby’s physical appearance for the TV adaptation, making her less bulky and taller compared to her game version. The motivation behind this change was Druckmann’s desire to focus more on drama rather than constant violent action, as there is still action present, but with a different emphasis and approach.

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Craig Mazin, the showrunner, expresses that there’s a fantastic chance to explore a character who might be physically weaker than Abby in the game, but whose inner strength could be more profound. The challenge is to uncover where this powerful personality originates and how it manifests. This aspect will be delved into both now and further down the line.

TV’s Version of Abby Will Be Different Than Her Counterpart in The Last of Us Part 2

Previously discussed, players of “The Last of Us Part 2″ recognize Abby as a strong, tall, and assertive character, despite her questionable actions. However, similar appearances aren’t necessarily required when adapting characters from games to screen, as seen with previous adaptations of “The Last of Us.” Abby’s physicality was significant in the game due to her use of strength in various situations, but given the show’s willingness to alter aspects, it’s evident they have a unique approach to handling this.

Druckmann remarked that “Kaitlyn embodies the essence of the game.” He went on to say that he appreciated the concept because it requires players to face challenges similar to those in season 1. When selecting a character, it’s difficult because we are not heroes; rather, we are ordinary people. For every brave act, there is someone else who experiences harm and might view us as a villain. Kaitlyn has something unique about her that, despite whatever she goes through, you feel a connection to. It was crucial for us to find an actress with whom we could connect in the same way we connected to Bella.

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Katie Dever, one of the brightest new talents in Hollywood, has recently enjoyed a flourishing career. She’s shone brightly in films such as the popular teen comedy “Booksmart” and the chilling alien horror “No One Will Save You.” Notably, she was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her portrayal of Betsy in “Dopesick.” Interestingly, Dever has previously collaborated with Neil Druckmann; she voiced Cassie Drake, the daughter of Nathan and Elena, in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.” Fatefully, Dever was once considered for the role of Ellie during the early stages of “The Last of Us” movie production. However, regardless of how she portrays Abby, her performance is sure to be unforgettable, much like the one she delivered in 2020 with her gaming counterpart.

In April 2025, you can expect the second season of “The Last of Us” to be released. The first season is currently streaming on Max and can be watched on HBO’s television channels. For all the latest news about “The Last of Us”, including both the TV series and the games, stay tuned here at ComicBook.

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2025-02-04 00:42