Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick) has joined HBO’s breakout hit The Last of Us. She is one of the three lead cast members of the series The Last of Us for the upcoming second season of the post-apocalyptic drama based on the video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog for PlayStation. Dever will play the most prominent new season 2 character, Abby, joining series stars Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, and Bella Ramsey, who is Ellie.
When it was revealed that the second season of The Last of Us would be based on 2020’s The Last of Us Part II, fans’ attention immediately focused on Abby, one of the game’s two playable central characters alongside Ellie.
Kaitlyn Dever’s name emerged as a frontrunner for the role shortly after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike in November. They eventually completed a deal with HBO, which co-produces the series with Sony Pictures Television.
Kaitlyn Dever confirmed cast as Abby in the second season of The Last of Us
Devers Abby is a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks vengeance for those she loves. In the game, the character was portrayed by Laura Bailey.
“Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material,” said Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, The Last of Us‘ co-creators, writers, executive producers and directors. “Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella and the rest of our family.”
The story of The Last of Us takes place twenty years after the destruction of modern civilization. Joel (Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to rescue a 14-year-old girl, Ellie (Ramsey), from an oppressive quarantine zone. What begins with a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey as the two of them must cross America and rely on each other to survive.
The cast of Season 1, which was shot in Calgary, Alberta, also included Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, Elaine Miles as Florence, Ashley Johnson as Anna, and Troy Baker as James.
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As Deadline revealed in March, Season 2 will be filmed in Vancouver as a significant portion of The Last of Us Part II video game’s story is set in the Pacific Northwest. Production is scheduled to begin in February.
The Last of Us is written and executive produced by Mazin and Druckmann. Caroline Strauss, Evan Wells, Assad Qizilbash, Carter Swan and Rose Lamm also executive produce.
The show was nominated for 24 Emmys and has already won eight awards in the Creative Arts categories, including Best Actor for Nick Offerman and Guest Actress for Storm Reid in the show’s acclaimed third episode. The show also picked up Emmys for picture editing, sound editing, sound mixing, main title design, visual effects and prosthetic makeup. Stars Ramsey and Pascal are among the nominees in categories whose winners will be announced during a primetime ceremony on Jan. 15 on Fox.
Kaitlyn Dever is best known for his roles in the sitcom Last Man Standing, the film Booksmart, as well as the limited series Unbelievable, which earned him a Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe nomination, and Dopesick, which earned him an Emmy, Critics’ Choice, and Globe nomination. He is represented by UTA and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan.
