The Last of Us EP Explains Why Season 2 Changes Abby’s Backstory

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“There are not many upcoming video game adaptations that carry as much anticipation and tension as HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2. This sequel is expected to broaden the Emmy-winning horror drama’s world by delving into the shocking and grueling incidents depicted in Naughty Dog’s video game follow-up. Although it is one of the most accurate game-to-TV adaptations yet, viewers should be aware that there will likely be some changes to the storyline when the series resumes, especially concerning Kaitlyn Dever’s character, Abby, and perhaps even the introduction of spores.”

Earlier, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann discussed their decision to cast Dever as Abby despite her not matching the game character’s physical build. Now, they have addressed a change that may spark debate – altering the sequence of when Abby appears in the storyline.

During a press conference, Druckman explained that in the upcoming Season 2 of the HBO series, they plan to delve deeper into Abby’s past, a subject that is not explored until later in the original material. In his own words:

“We will be exploring Abby’s backstory more extensively than what is presented in the source material at this stage.

We made some adjustments to the storyline for two main reasons. One of these reasons is related to the game, where you play as Abby, allowing you to quickly identify with her due to the shared experience of surviving and battling infected alongside her in the snowy environment. By withholding certain details, we can create a sense of mystery that will be unveiled later on in the story. However, this technique isn’t applicable to the show since the audience doesn’t play as Abby directly. Consequently, we needed alternative methods to establish the same emotional connection with the audience, and having the audience learn about Abby through context provided a shortcut to achieve that goal.

Just as novels immerse readers in the thoughts and experiences of their protagonists, video games take this a step further by allowing players to control and influence the actions and outcomes of characters. This interactive aspect can deepen empathy among players. For instance, in the game “The Last of Us“, Abby appears early on without much background explanation. At first, things may seem relatively calm, but quickly deteriorate into chaos.

Video games let you control characters in a story, which can help you feel more connected to them. In the game “The Last of Us“, Abby joins the story without much backstory, and it doesn’t take long for things to start going wrong.

In the game “The Last of Us Part II”, players are often left in suspense about the characters’ actions and the full story is gradually revealed over many hours. Neil Druckmann, one of the creators, addressed this aspect, stating that if they had followed the source material closely for a TV adaptation, it would have created a timing imbalance for viewers, as certain events wouldn’t have been immediately clear. In other words, he was saying that the narrative structure of the game doesn’t quite fit the linear nature of television.

To maintain consistency with our initial schedule, viewers might have had to wait an extremely prolonged period to grasp that background information. This could potentially spoil the plot for them during different seasons, which we aimed to avoid. Consequently, it seemed fitting to bring that context forward and present it immediately from the start.

It appears that the game’s director hinted, within “that context,” that the television viewers will learn about Abby’s past much earlier compared to gamers. Given Bella Ramsey’s emotional filming experience, it may occur relatively quickly, though not necessarily in the initial episode available with a Max subscription. Instead, expect it to happen sooner rather than later.

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It seems reasonable to assume that some details will be saved for a later release, but this source’s most stunning revelation appears to be more of an initial bombshell rather than a late-breaking explanation.

Why I Think It’s Smart For The Last Of Us To Reveal Abby’s Story Early

To put it simply, Neil Druckmann’s words during the press conference resonate deeply as they are logical and well-reasoned. Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby instantly makes her character multi-dimensional, and she has the ability to evoke sympathy without needing extra context. However, I’m uncertain if the TV series could effectively tell Abby’s story without clearly explaining why she clashes with Joel and Ellie.

In addition, similar to most adaptations of pop culture, a significant portion of the main audience will already know the storyline from the original game, while others may have had it spoiled unintentionally. Therefore, sticking rigidly to the same chronology and narrative events for accuracy might not benefit anyone significantly.

Instead, I believe Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have the ability to reinvent the emotional aspects from Part II into a live-action story in ways that seem entirely novel and captivating for each viewer, not just those who are least accustomed to using a controller. While there might be certain moments that appear slightly awkward compared to the original, such instances can be expected during the adaptation process.

I’m thrilled to find out how The Last of Us Season 2 develops Abby’s narrative and brings her group into contact with Ellie and Joel. The small screen might undergo a significant transformation once that unfolds. Join me, along with countless others, as we tune in to HBO and Max on Sunday, April 13, at 9:00 p.m. ET to witness it all.

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2025-03-26 19:07