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

The character Abby has faced intense backlash, with some fans directing their outrage at fictional events by harassing Naughty Dog staff—including Neil Druckmann and voice actress Laura Bailey. The harassment escalated to threats against Bailey, her family, and even her toddler.

HBO took precautions during Season 2 production, providing Dever with additional security amid concerns over potential hostility. "It's surreal how people genuinely despise Abby—a fictional character," remarked Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in the upcoming season.

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In her ScreenRant interview, Dever was questioned whether she follows fan expectations about Abby's adaptation.

"Honestly, it's difficult to ignore online discussions," she admitted.

"Occasionally, I catch myself checking reactions—especially heading into this project. My priority is honoring Abby's essence and satisfying fans with an authentic portrayal.

But my real focus was collaborating with Neil and Craig [Mazin] to fully grasp her motivations—her rage, grief, and emotional depth. That's where I channeled my energy."

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Druckmann recently clarified that Abby's muscular physique from the game won't be replicated in Season 2, as the HBO adaptation prioritizes narrative over gameplay mechanics.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Druckmann and Mazin explained Dever didn't undergo physical transformation since Abby's combat distinctions from Ellie aren't crucial to the series.

"Finding someone as talented as Kaitlyn was our priority," Druckmann noted. "In-game, their playstyles differ—Ellie relies on agility, Abby mirrors Joel's brute strength. But the show emphasizes drama over combat pacing."

Mazin added: "This adaptation lets us explore a physically vulnerable yet spiritually resilient Abby. Her strength manifests differently—an intriguing angle we'll examine across seasons."

The "seasons" remark hints at HBO expanding The Last of Us Part 2's storyline beyond Season 2—unlike Season 1, which condensed the first game. While Season 3 remains unconfirmed, Mazin revealed Season 2's seven-episode arc concludes at a deliberate narrative pause.