Genuine concerns surround the latest The Last of Us Season 2 update

The show's first season received acclaim for its faithful yet creative adaptation of the source material and its emotionally resonant storytelling. To date, the TV show is still on track to win at least one Emmy award (and possibly multiple ones) once the awards show is finally hosted. The casting of Dever as Abby could indicate a continued commitment to strong character development and narrative depth. The character of Abby is central to the game's storyline, particularly in the second half, which deals with themes of revenge, redemption, and the cycle of violence. Her role in the game was met with polarized reactions, mainly due to her actions involving beloved characters from the franchise.

Dever's casting brings a seasoned actor to the role, with a proven track record of delivering powerful performances. Her experience with Naughty Dog, the game's developer, as she voiced a character in Uncharted 4, and her near-miss with the role of Ellie, demonstrate her suitability for the complex world of The Last of Us.

Nevertheless, this doesn't solve the problem that Dever's figure is far from imposing. Abby's appearance in the game, at her peak, puts her at around 170-ish centimeters and 170 pounds. In contrast, Dever is half a foot shorter and weighs 50 pounds less if not more. The little details about Abby, like how she's more confrontational and isn't afraid of using brute strength (or literally throwing her weight around) are crucial the character. She even holds the women's bench press record as she can apparently lift over 200 pounds.

So, unless Dever puts on a significant amount of weight, muscle, and height, it's clear HBO is taking a different route in its live-action adaptation of the character.

Absent a confirmation, all fans can do for now is speculate about the highly anticipated follow-up season of The Last of Us. The broader audience was captivated by the debut season's storytelling and character development. Abby is key to the continuing the narrative's exploration of moral ambiguity and the human condition in a post-apocalyptic world. Dever's portrayal of Abby will be pivotal in expanding the show's narrative scope and emotional depth.

The delay in Season 2, primarily due to the WGA/SAG strike (and Pedro Pascal's busy schedule), has only heightened anticipation. The showrunners have a significant challenge adapting its most controversial and complex character. How they handle Abby's physicality remains to be seen. Fans will be looking forward to seeing how Dever embodies Abby's physical strength and emotional intensity, if these reports are indeed true.

If it's any consolation, the "real" Abby will be making her way to PlayStation 5 in January with the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered. More characters will be playable in the re-release of the award-winning first-party Sony title as part of its new roguelike mode.