Original Abby Actor Praises Kaitlyn Dever’s Performance in The Last of Us Season 2

Laura Bailey, who originally voiced Abby in The Last of Us Part II video game, has praised Kaitlyn Dever's portrayal of Abby in the HBO series adaptation, calling her performance "phenomenal" and noting how Dever made the character her own. Bailey expressed a parental pride in seeing the character come to life on screen in a new way and confirmed her positive discussions with showrunner Neil Druckmann about Dever's work. Despite the controversy surrounding Abby's character in the game—especially her killing of Joel, a fan favorite—Bailey continues to support the franchise and even appeared in the show's first season as a nurse. While some fans and critics have mixed feelings about the show's adaptation choices, Dever's performance has earned Emmy nominations and critical acclaim. Additionally, Dever's previous role in the series Justified, where she portrayed a young girl seeking revenge for her murdered father, has been noted as a foreshadowing of her complex role as Abby, highlighting her experience with dark, emotionally charged characters. Overall, Dever's casting and performance have been key to the success and emotional impact of The Last of Us season 2 and are expected to be central in the upcoming third season.