It’s been almost a year after the first season of The Last of Us, HBO’s undeniably successful live action adaptation of the Naughty Dog critical hit bearing the same name, concluded. And, while The Last of Us continues to be as controversial, especially with The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered slated for release on PlayStation 5 on January 19, there’s one question that remains on everyone’s mind: who is the actress playing Abby Anderson?
Unlike Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, who were each confirmed for their respective roles as Ellie and Joel way before the series’ first season premiered, work on Season 2 is about to start soon and we still have no idea who HBO cast to play as one of the series’ most infamous characters.
So far, the latest rumor suggests that Kaitlyn Dever has signed on to play Abby, but this is only the latest in a rumor mill that churned out other names in the past, including Shannon Berry, Florence Pugh, and even, Emma D’Arcy. But. none of these actresses, save maybe for Shannon Berry, have the same incredibly toned arms that Abby is known for, which is a problem.
In The Last of Us Part 2, Abby’s buff exterior is a vital element of her character; it represents her determination, survival instincts, and the harsh reality of the game’s post-apocalyptic world. Her physical isn’t merely for show – it’s rooted in Abby’s personal journey. After her father’s murder, Abby transforms herself into a formidable fighter and the physical embodiment of her quest for vengeance and survival. Her role as a soldier in a militaristic organization further makes her muscular build necessary, making it a believable aspect of her character in the game’s context.
Besides, it’s Abby’s build-up following the events of The Last of Us Season 1 (assuming that the story will largely remain the same) to kill his father’s murderer only to be saved by the said person who she still kills anyway, only to leave her guilt-ridden, that helps create an even more compelling narrative.
Moreover, Abby’s physique challenges traditional female character tropes, often limited to sexualized or passive roles. Her muscular build represents a shift towards more diverse and realistic female characterizations, highlighting strength and resilience over conventional beauty standards.
Undoing that by casting an actress that lacks the physically imposing figure would be doing the character a disservice.
This is where things get difficult if not near-impossible for Naughty Dog, HBO, PlayStation, Neil Druckmann, and Craig Mazin. Translating Abby to the live-service series poses serious challenges. Finding an actress with a similar build or expecting an actress to undergo an extreme physical transformation is difficult enough as it is. Now, the same actress needs to have the same emotional and acting range to do the character justice. It’s possible to portray Abby effectively without her being as muscular as in the game, focusing on her skills, mental strength, and emotional depth. The show may still convey her character effectively while offering a more practical solution for casting and production. But, again, that would be completely missing the point of Abby.
Abby’s physicality isn’t a cosmetic choice; it’s interwoven with her narrative and the game’s thematic exploration of the cyclical nature of revenge, violence, and survival. Her strength and formidable presence play a crucial role in her confrontations and interactions, particularly with Ellie, the other protagonist.
The portrayal of Abby’s character in the HBO series, especially regarding her physique, will be a critical decision that’s going to impact the show’s reception and faithfulness to the source material. It’s a balancing act between practicality in casting and production and staying true to the essence of a character that has become iconic in the gaming world.
While there are practical considerations for adapting Abby’s character to a live-action format, her muscular build isn’t a mere physical attribute. The Last of Us Season 2 would need to carefully consider how to translate this aspect of her character to maintain the integrity of the original story and its themes.
After winning several awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards earlier this week, HBO’s The Last of Us was snubbed at 81st Golden Globes in favor of Succession. But, it still has a shot at winning more awards 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on January 15.
