‘Kaitlyn Was Within The Last of Us DNA’ Co-Showrunner Admits They Nearly Cast Kaitlyn Dever To Play Main Role

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Summary

  • Kaitlyn Dever was initially considered to play Ellie in The Last of Us movie, but now joins Season 2 as Abby.
  • Dever’s casting as Abby showcases her versatility as an actress for emotionally complex roles.
  • The Last of Us Season 2, premiering April 13, 2025, introduces new characters, including the divisive Abby.

The second season of “The Last of Us” is scheduled to debut next month, introducing several fresh characters, among them Kaitlyn Dever’s character named Abby. Interestingly enough, it was initially intended for Dever to join the series more than ten years ago.

The series “The Last of Us” is a post-apocalyptic drama, inspired by the critically acclaimed 2013 video game from Naughty Dog. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have developed this show, which features Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams. As they’re compelled to travel together, Joel, who is tasked with bringing Ellie to the Firefly base because she’s immune to a deadly infection, develops a bond with Ellie reminiscent of a father-daughter relationship. In season 2, a new character will appear who will ultimately take Joel’s life; interestingly, this character was originally intended to play Ellie in another project that didn’t come to fruition.

In a new development for “The Last of Us” Season 2, Dever will portray Abby – a character who has stirred much debate within the game series. Despite her introduction being scheduled for the second season, co-showrunner Craig Mazin disclosed that Abby was originally intended to be the main character, Ellie, from the beginning. According to Mazin’s statement through GamesRadar, this is the reason behind her presence in the show.

Kaitlyn was a strong contender for the role of Ellie in “The Last of Us” during its early stages as a movie concept. However, when the TV series came along, she had grown beyond the age that would convincingly portray a 14-year-old character. It’s reasonable to assume this was a factor in the casting decisions.

2014 saw discussions about a movie adaptation for “The Last of Us,” with Sam Raimi, director of “Spider-Man,” set to produce. But due to contrasting views between Sony and Druckmann on the project’s direction, it was ultimately put on hold. Sony desired grand, elaborate sequences, while Druckmann envisioned a more modest independent film. Bella Deverausi, who had even performed a table read for Ellie’s character, found herself out of luck as the project ended. Fast forward to 2020, HBO gave the green light to a “The Last of Us” series. Regrettably, Deverausi was no longer eligible to play Ellie due to her age, but she’s now part of the cast, playing the role of Abby instead.

Casting Bella Devereau as Abby in HBO’s The Last of Us is an intelligent decision due to her versatility as an actress. She has shown her ability to portray intricate emotional characters, making her a fitting choice for Abby, who is a contentious character from the franchise. It’s clear that Dever can effectively bring Abby to life on screen. Her talent in acting is unquestionable, as she was Emmy-nominated for her role in Dopesick. It was also correct for Mazin to choose Dever for the show, as she was initially intended to play Ellie. Although her character in The Last of Us Season 2 contrasts significantly with her supposed role from over a decade ago, she remains an essential part of the franchise. However, this time around, her character is portrayed more antagonistically. Despite this change, Dever continues to be a significant figure in the franchise.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on HBO Max on April 13, 2025.

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2025-03-10 17:44