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Kaitlyn Dever is the latest name to join the highly praised series The Last of Us, playing the intense and complex character of Abby. In a candid conversation with Elle, Kaitlyn opened up about how she approached portraying Abby’s emotions and how she wanted to humanize the character for the audience.
“I wanted a lot of the broken parts of Abby to show through in her eyes—I wanted to humanize her as much as I possibly could,” Kaitlyn explained. She acknowledged that Abby, who goes up against Joel and Ellie in the game and is often seen as the villain, is much more than just an antagonist.
To Kaitlyn, Abby is “a raw, broken, vulnerable person” and she feels it’s crucial for both gamers and viewers of the series to see her as more than just a villain. This perspective allows Abby to be understood on a deeper emotional level, beyond the animosity she may evoke.
Fans of The Last of Us will know that nearly all the characters in the series have experienced significant loss. Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie both deal with deep grief over loved ones they’ve lost. Abby’s story is no different. In the first episode of Season 2, Abby’s tough words and her plans against Joel are made clear, but her motivations go beyond just vengeance.
Abby is one of the last surviving members of the Firefly group, which was defeated by Joel at the end of Season 1. In the process, she lost her father, and it’s this tragic loss that drives her cold, determined quest for revenge against Joel. It’s no surprise that Abby is coming after him with such intensity—her pain is a key part of her character’s journey.