In an emotional interview with Entertainment Weekly, actress Kaitlyn Dever shared the challenging experience of filming her role as Abby in The Last of Us Season 2 just three days after her mother’s funeral. The role, which involved a harrowing scene of Abby torturing Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), marked an intense and emotionally charged beginning for Dever’s journey on the hit HBO series.
A Difficult Time for Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever’s mother, who had been battling metastatic breast cancer for 14 years, passed away in February 2024, just weeks before Dever was set to start filming for The Last of Us. Despite her grief, Dever pushed through and began her first day of filming for the show on the very day after her mother’s funeral. The first scene she filmed was Abby’s brutal murder of Joel, a pivotal moment in the series, drawn directly from the The Last of Us Part II video game.
“It’s hard to put into words how emotionally intense it was,” Dever said. “It was just a massive scene emotionally, and with blocking, too. There were so many moving parts… I was in a fog, honestly.”
Support from the Show’s Creators
Recognizing the delicate circumstances surrounding Dever, the creators of The Last of Us went above and beyond to ensure her comfort during this difficult time. The production team adjusted the shooting schedule, starting with coverage shots that did not require Dever to be on set immediately after her mother’s passing.
“We said, ‘Take your time. Take all the time you need,’” said Craig Mazin, the co-creator of the series. He emphasized that, while the show was important, supporting Dever through her grief was the priority. “This is a show about grief, and we wanted to respect that,” he added.
Dever was given the option to pick the day she felt most comfortable filming the highly emotional scene. The set was also closed to only necessary personnel, helping to minimize distractions during a deeply personal moment for the actress.
A Unique Approach to Acting During Grief
Despite the emotional toll, Dever found that her personal experience unexpectedly informed her portrayal of Abby. The actress noted that, under normal circumstances, she would have spent weeks preparing for a monologue like the one in her murder scene. However, due to her grief, she had to take a different approach, one that ultimately worked in her favor.
“I didn’t have my normal routine, and I think it really served the character,” Dever explained. “I didn’t overthink it too much because the words on the page were so powerful already.”
The Impact of Abby’s Violent Scene
The scene itself, where Abby brutally murders Joel, remains one of the most shocking moments in the series, staying true to the video game’s narrative. In this intense sequence, Abby captures Joel and reveals herself as the daughter of the doctor Joel killed to save Ellie. What follows is a brutal and emotional confrontation that ends with Abby delivering the final blow to Joel.
Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, expressed admiration for Dever’s dedication, even in the face of such a personal tragedy. He shared that meeting Kaitlyn was “amazing,” and he reflected on how the tragic and violent nature of their characters’ relationship created an unexpected bond between the two actors.
Conclusion
Kaitlyn Dever’s experience filming this critical scene of The Last of Us serves as a powerful testament to both her strength and the supportive environment created by the show’s creators. The combination of the emotionally charged content and Dever’s personal grief highlighted the profound impact of grief and loss on both personal and professional lives. It also proved that even in the most challenging times, actors can channel their experiences into their performances, making for some of the most unforgettable moments in television
