The Last Of Us Season 2 Is Changing Abby’s Storyline In One Major Way

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In an event discussing the second season of the popular series “The Last of Us,” creators Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin, along with several cast members, disclosed that a significant new character’s narrative deviates from its presentation in the video games. Notably, Druckmann developed these games with Naughty Dog, and this season is adapted from “The Last of Us Part II.

During a press event where Looper was present, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay questioned creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin about Abby’s storyline in the upcoming season, and how it contrasts with her character in the video game. “Since the game introduces players to Abby without any background information, I was taken aback when the premiere revealed Abby’s connection to the fireflies in Salt Lake City so swiftly,” Tangcay pondered. “What factors influenced your decision to start the season with that level of clarity?

druckmann explained that they received this query four times today before offering a response. He mentioned there were two main reasons for altering certain aspects of the story or moving specific elements up in the narrative. The first reason, as you noted in the question, is that players initially take on the role of Abby, thus forming an empathetic bond with her as they survive and navigate through challenges like fighting infected. By holding back certain details and creating a mystery to be unveiled later in the story, we can maintain engagement. However, this approach wouldn’t work for the show because viewers aren’t playing as Abby; instead, we needed different strategies to establish that bond quickly. This context provided us with a shortcut.

The showrunners of The Last of Us made a similar change in the show’s first season

Neil Druckmann noted that the first season of “The Last of Us” followed a similar narrative structure to the game, where Nico Parker’s character, Sarah (Pedro Pascal’s Joel’s daughter), was initially featured before her death during the spread of the Cordyceps infection. From then on, the focus shifted to Joel.

In the first season, players initially controlled Sarah, immersing themselves in her experiences during the outbreak. This immediate connection made it easier for us to care about Sarah without needing extensive set-up. Similarly, in the show, we had to invest more time to create a similar emotional bond. One reason for this difference is that the significant revelation in the game would have occurred much later in the series, potentially spoiling future events if we maintained a similar timeline. To avoid this, we decided to present this crucial context at the start of the new season instead.

How does Kaitlyn Dever feel about joining The Last of Us in its second season?

Despite fans of “The Last of Us” having a general idea of what might transpire in season 2 due to potential narrative adjustments, Kaitlyn Dever has been secretive about specific details. When asked about joining the series, Dever playfully suggested that viewers should ignore her character and instead focus on moving ahead. However, she was genuinely thrilled to be involved with the project.

Dever expressed a mix of emotions – nervousness, anxiety, and excitement – during the experience. Having been a devoted fan of ‘The Last of Us’ for years, he acknowledged the immense popularity of the series. The expansive world of the game is vast, and this was evident even during wardrobe fittings and initial preparations. However, once on set, his apprehension lessened due to the supportive cast and being under the guidance of Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann]. He felt a level of care and support that he had never experienced before, making it an exhilarating experience for both him as a person and an actor.

Beyond simply admiring the work done by Mazin and Druckmann on the first season, Dever shared that she personally connects with the game. She confessed that she was already a fan, having played it with her father years ago. Revisiting the game now felt like destiny to her, as if it was always meant to be part of her life. Abby, the character she plays, feels authentic to Dever, and she’s eagerly anticipating the premiere of season 2 on April 13, which she describes as “gripping.

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2025-03-27 22:30