Kaitlyn Dever needed extra security on ‘The Last of Us’ set — here’s why

Abby is one of the most hated characters in video game history.

By Joe Allen Published August 16, 2024

Kaitlyn Dever at the Ticket to Paradise world premiere. — Shutterstock

There’s fan backlash, and then there’s what happened around the release of The Last of Us: Part 2. The game was characterized by severe hate from fans, specifically around the character of Abby, a muscular, capable woman who was seen as too masculine by some fans, who also wrongly assumed that she was a trans character based on leaks.

Now, Kaitlyn Dever is attempting to translate that character to live-action for season 2 of The Last of Us TV show, and the backlash has apparently translated right alongside her. According to Dever’s co-star on the second season Isabella Merced, Dever required extra security on set to protect her from a particularly aggravated group of fans.

Recommended Videos

“There’s so many strange people in this world because there are people that actually genuinely hate Abby, who is not a real person,” Merced explained during an appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. “Kaitlyn had to be extra secured by security when it came to the filming of this.”

Merced added that she was confused by the hatred in part because Neil Druckmann, the creator of the games, was also working on the TV show. “What confuses me is the showrunner and creator of the video game, they work together to make this, so if you like what the guy made and he’s making more of it, why are you mad?” Merced said. “I’m too opinionated to be on Twitter. I see this stuff on Twitter, and it makes me want to go Cardi B on them.”

Abby is one of the more controversial video game characters in history, and it seems like that hatred may not go anywhere in the new season.

Topics

Streaming

Contributor

Joe Allen is a freelance culture writer based in upstate New York. His work has been published in The Washington Post, The…

Culture

8 power-packed shows like Succession to add to your watchlist

Family dramas and sarcastic societal critiques that are just like 'Succession'

Brian Cox as Logan Roy

Succession finished in 2023, but many TV diehards are still searching for an adequate replacement. This Jesse Armstrong-created drama carried HBO's legacy of quality programming for a quartet of iconic seasons. The Roy children battle inner turmoil and traumatic family relationships when their wealthy father decides to start trying out replacement CEOs for his business. Succession's gorgeous set pieces and dense characters make it feel like a Shakespearean experience updated for a modern audience. Talented actors like Jeremy Strong, Brian Cox, and many others brought a supreme script to life.

If you're like me, you miss the family drama, backstabbing, and political commentary used in Succession. In that case, you should check out these dramas and black comedies that incorporate more than a couple of the show's elements into their arsenal. Not every show on this list has three Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, but in my opinion, all of them are fantastic. You'll love these shows like Succession if you're a fan of great TV.

Culture

5 reasons why ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix is a must-watch

The series is told in four single take episodes that feel like real time

The cast of Adolescence.

Netflix makes it difficult to tell which shows are worth your time. New shows pop up every week, and discerning the good from the bad is nearly impossible. Sometimes, though, something breaks through all the noise on the server and reminds everyone what great TV can and should look like.

Adolescence, which hit the streamer on March 13, is one such show, and it's one you should definitely make time for. The series, which is just four episodes long, follows a family who find themselves confronting the unthinkable after their 13-year-old son is arrested for murdering a schoolmate. As they attempt to reckon with the fallout, they learn more about exactly what their son is accused of. Here are five reasons you should make time for this show:

Culture

‘Ted Lasso’ will return for a fourth season with at least some cast members returning

The new season will apparently see Ted coaching a women's team

The cast of Ted Lasso

After years of speculation about whether Ted Lasso would be back or not, Apple TV+ has confirmed that a fourth season of Ted Lasso is on the way. The show's third season seemed like it might be a conclusion, but it seems that at least Jason Sudeikis's central character will be back, although it's unclear who from the cast of the first three seasons will be joining him.

"Ted Lasso has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fan base all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion and unwavering belief," Matt Cherniss, head of Apple TV+ programming, said in a statement. "Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show."