Kaitlyn Dever's Dad Manifested Her Abby Role In The Last Of Us
The season was inspired by the video game The Last of Us Part II, and the game's storyline should continue in season 3 and a potential Last of Us season 4. Season 3 is expected to see a 2027 release, and it will primarily follow Abby's personal story after Joel's death.
In an interview with Deadline, Dever discussed her role and the primary force that convinced her to play The Last of Us Part II – her father. While Dever was not overly enthusiastic about Abby's character, her father convinced her to play the game, and it was enough to convince Dever that Abby was extremely compelling. Check out her comments below:
It was actually my dad’s thoughts and opinions on Abby that were way stronger than mine when I first got a call about having a meeting with Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin to play Abby. I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this, but earlier on, before I even got that call about the potential of playing Abby, it was my dad saying, “Man, that would be so cool if you could play that girl Abby.” And I was like, “I don’t know.” I had played the first game with my dad twice, but of course, Abby wasn’t in it. At the time I thought, “Oh, he’s just saying things.” I didn’t think anything about it. Then, later, he played the second game, and I remember him telling me, “Hey, you need to sit down, and you just need to watch this. You need to play this.” And it was the end of the second game, which is so intense and the craziest moment of video gaming I’d ever seen.
When I had my first meeting with Craig and Neil, by that point, I had done some of the beginning gameplay of Abby. And just from my initial understanding, she was a very, very, very, very strong woman. And that in and of itself was intriguing to me. After meeting with them and discussing Abby further, I gained more insight into what they want for the role in the show. This made me even more excited to take on this kind of role. Because while I was excited to use the inspiration that Laura Bailey and her performance in the show, I was also excited about the freedom that Craig and Neil were giving me to bring Abby to life in my own way. And I never felt pigeonholed in any sort of way, which was exciting.
But thinking back right now, it really was my dad’s energy that got me excited about all of this. I was like, “Oh, who’s this person he keeps talking about?” Because I know I trust my dad’s opinion and his taste. He’s got really cool taste, and he knows what’s up. And he’s like, “No, that would be so cool if you got to play Abby.” I’m like, “I don’t think I’m ever going to get to play Abby.” And then literally it was only months, not long after that, that I got the call about a meeting to talk to Neil and Craig. Thanks, Dad.
What This Means For Dever's Abby Portrayal
Dever is undoubtedly an extraordinary star, but her casting did come as a surprise, as her build severely differs from the original depiction of the character. Despite some reticence, however, she proved to be a fitting casting choice, as she quickly went on to become one of the surprising breakout stars of the season.
While Abby is undoubtedly a controversial character, Dever's portrayal has earned critical acclaim, despite her limited screentime. Critics praised her portrayal, with Mary Kassel stating in ScreenRant's The Last of Us season 2 finale review that Dever "doesn't disappoint", especially in season 2's final scene. She brought intense emotion to every scene, often complementing Ellie's ever-present but often-disguised grief.
She will serve as the primary protagonist of The Last of Us season 3, which will give audiences a chance to see Dever's Abby in the spotlight. Abby will be forced to reckon with the consequences of killing Joel, while losing her primary motivation in life. Fortunately, season 2's ending showed the aftermath of her journey, and it presents an emotional picture.
Our Take On Dever's Abby Inspiration
Given that Abby's initial motivation in The Last of Us season 2 was about avenging her father, it is fitting that Dever's real-life father was her own inspiration. His "cool taste" helped Dever to find the compelling elements of Abby's personality, and she helped to zero in on those elements through her portrayal.
It also helped to bring a sense of reliability to the character. Dever connecting with Abby helped to make her feel more genuine, as her actor could understand every tragic moment in Abby's life. If anyone could bring the controversial character to life in The Last of Us season 3, it happens to be Dever.
