Abby, the character from The Last of Us Season 2, is Simply Imaginary Figure
In a savvy move to fend off potential backlash, HBO has fortified its approach for the second season of The Last of Us, anticipating the heat that might come from the controversial character, Abby.
The announcement of Kaitlyn Dever's role as the coveted Abby in the video game sequel's small screen adaptation, stirred a whirlwind of displeasure among fans. To shield Dever from the wrath of fans struggling to separate reality from fiction, HBO and Max have beefed up her security while filming.
Isabela Merced, cast as Ellie's love interest Dina, opened up on the Happy Sad Confused podcast about the heated animosity towards Abby, saying, "There are some strange individuals in the world, as there are those who detest Abby despite her being a fictional character."
When The Last of Us Part II dropped in June 2020, gamers tugged at the character Abby, a stern soldier on a vengeful mission against Joel for her father's death, and occasionally crossed paths with Ellie. The internet saw a surge in misogynistic critiques, primarily targeting Abby's physical appearance. Some even speculated that she was trans, disregarding the actual character details[1][2][3]. Developers Naughty Dog and Abby voiceover actress Laura Bailey endured a barrage of harassment, including death threats, due to the game[4].
"The folks behind the scenes, showrunner [Craig Mazin] and creator of the game [Neil Druckmann], will be working together to craft this series. So, it's baffling why fans would be furious over it if they enjoy what Druckmann has crafted," Merced shared on the podcast. "I'm too outspoken to be on Twitter. I see the stuff on Twitter, and it drives me to become like Cardi B," she added, referring to the outspoken rapper.
Dever has yet to comment on the series, but Merced noted that her co-star doesn't let such negativity phase her, praising Dever's performance as Emmy-worthy[1][4]. "Seeing all this hatred is heart-wrenching, but there's no denying, she deserves an Emmy," Merced said. "Frankly, I'm ecstatic for fans to witness how exceptionally well Bella and Kaitlyn did in this series," she added, expressing excitement for the second season's debut on HBO in 2025.
Looking ahead, brace yourself for the latest updates on upcoming releases from Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek[5][6][7], learn about the future of the DC universe on both the big and small screens, and stay updated on the direction for the future of Doctor Who[8].
[1] kotaku.com[2] ign.com[3] neogaf.com[4] theverge.com[5] marvel.com[6] starwars.com[7] startrek.com[8] doctorwho.tv
- In the realm of television, the showrunner of the upcoming season of The Last of Us, Craig Mazin, will collaborate with Neil Druckmann, the creator of the game, to ensure a faithful adaptation.
- The toxicity surrounding the character Abby, a key figure in The Last of Us Part II, has spilled over into the small screen adaptation, with fans expressing displeasure despite Ellie's love interest, Dina, played by Isabela Merced, praise for the series.
- Technology has been harnessed to protect Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in the The Last of Us series, from the hostility of fans who struggle to separate reality from fiction.
- A glimpse into the future reveals exciting updates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek series, while the direction for the future of Doctor Who and the state of the DC universe on both the big and small screens remain topics of interest for io9 readers.
