Few casting announcements in recent memory have sparked as much debate as Kaitlyn Dever stepping into the role of Abby in HBO’s hit series The Last of Us. The character, already infamous in the video game world for her complicated arc and divisive choices, brought with her a wave of passionate reactions from fans when Dever was revealed to be taking on the part in the live-action series' second season.
Now, with the season wrapped and a third officially greenlit, the Emmy-nominated actress is opening up about the scrutiny, the pressure, and the excitement that comes with bringing one of gaming’s most polarizing characters to life. In a new interview with Deadline, Dever was asked about whether the pressure has eased now that the series has been embraced and renewed, or if the pressure feels even greater with Abby set to take center stage in the upcoming third season.
First, she explains that she knew people would have strong opinions when she accepted the role, and she even discussed it with the showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann beforehand. But despite knowing that the character would stir up controversy, she never let fear dictate her decision. Dever shared that her love for the role of Abby outweighed any hesitation, and she wasn’t going to let online criticism stop her from taking on such a complex character.
While she admits she couldn’t completely avoid seeing the reactions on the internet, the overwhelming support she received from the cast, crew, and creative team gave her a sense of safety and reassurance. For her, the excitement of diving into Abby’s story far surpassed the pressure of fan expectations. With season 2 widely praised and support from her colleagues, she tells Deadline she’s entering the next season not with hesitation, but with pure excitement to continue Abby’s journey.
"I would’ve never not done it because of the fear of reading the internet after the show comes out, or what people might think of me and my portrayal of Abby, because I loved the role so much that it outweighed all of that. Or I guess it helped alleviate that fear in some way. I don’t know. But it’s tricky because, obviously, I look at the internet and I saw things when it first came out. I’m human, so I can’t help but look at those things.
But ultimately, if I’m thinking about Season 3, I have a sense of comfort knowing that I’m in really good hands. In Season 2, I felt so taken care of and so supported just by the crew and everybody that I was working with, so that gives me a sense of safety. Also, there is comfort in the fact that people did love Season 2. So, I just have to trust my instincts and trust myself moving forward. The scripts, the dialogue, and the story is so amazing that I’m not at all going into Season 3 with any sort of fear or hesitation. It’s pure excitement to be part of such a cool show."
Honestly, it's incredible and inspiring to see Dever pretty much ignore the backlash and continue owning Abby like a boss. It's not easy stepping into a role that fans are already divided over, and some actors might have let the criticism shake their confidence. But Dever takes all the internet drama in stride while totally nailing a role that’s as tough and complex as it gets. You can’t help but root for her!
The Last of Us season 3 will continue to adapt the second video game, The Last of Us Part II, and will largely focus on Abby's story. Dever will return as Abby, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, and Isabela Merced as Dina. Also expected to return for the third installment are Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, and Alanna Ubach as Hanrahan. The cameras are rumored to start rolling sometime in 2026, with a confirmed release set for 2027.
Stay tuned to Winter is Coming for more news and coverage on The Last of Us season 3!