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As confirmed by developer Naughty Dog on X, Kaitlyn Dever is officially joining The Last of Us as Abby for the second season. The successful HBO series, which stars Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, was a smash hit; The Last of Us quickly garnered critical and audience acclaim, being nominated for a plethora of awards, including three Golden Globes and five Emmys. Following the first season's conclusion, it was predictably renewed for a second installment to continue the story.
Kaitlyn Dever May Divide Audiences
The upcoming second season will supposedly follow the storyline of The Last of Us Part II, in which Abby enters the fray. Abby's character was divisive, to say the least, for players of the original sequel game -- and will likely play the same role in the TV show. Without giving too much away, Abby is a complex and fluctuating persona, one that will be fulfilled by Dever. Dever's credits prior to The Last of Us are nothing to sneeze at, starring as Brynn in the widely acclaimed 2023 horror No One Will Save You, and Amy in Olivia Wilde's debut film Booksmart. Those two roles alone display the huge range Dever is capable of and will bring to the set of The Last of Us. Although not officially confirmed, the second game adaptation is rumored to be split into multiple seasons -- meaning Dever is likely to return for more installments beyond the second season.
Although she was cast as Abby, Dever was at one point a favorite fan cast for Ellie for an earlier film adaptation, prior to the HBO series being produced. Dever also has prior experience with Naughty Dog, voicing Nathan Drake's daughter Cassie in Uncharted 4. It's safe to say that she is more than comfortable with the video game space, and her past with Naughty Dog and president Neil Druckmann exemplifies her ability to bring Abby to life.
The Last of Us Season 2 will begin filming this year, and HBO is aiming for a 2025 release. The first season is available to stream on Max.
Source: Naughty Dog via X