Kaitlyn Dever’s Authentic Portrayal of Grief in ‘The Last Of Us’

Kaitlyn Dever’s latest role in ‘The Last of Us’ was more than just another acting job for her—it was a deeply personal experience. When she joined the cast for season two, it felt like starting at a new school. Imagine walking into an established world with dedicated fans and a close-knit cast—that’s a lot to take in for anyone, let alone a newcomer like Dever.

As she prepared to step into the shoes of Abby Anderson, Dever felt the nerves kick in. But as soon as she was on set, surrounded by Pedro Pascal’s infectious energy, those nerves disappeared. Pascal, she tells us, was even more enigmatic and wonderful than she could have hoped for. The entire cast and crew welcomed her with open arms, creating a family atmosphere that made her feel right at home.

The work they did together was intense—physically demanding scenes in the snow, heart-pounding stunts, and emotionally charged moments that pushed Dever to her limits. As she delved into Abby’s character, she found herself drawing on personal experiences of grief. Having lost her mother to breast cancer just last year, the pain of that loss was still raw. For Dever, playing Abby became a form of therapy, allowing her to explore those emotions and heal through her work on the show.

Abby, Dever explains, is a strong woman who has experienced extreme loss and is trying to pick up the pieces. She carries a protective armor around her, forged by the traumas she’s faced. While Dever couldn’t spill any spoilers, she teased that this season of ‘The Last of Us’ is going to be gripping, heartbreaking, and some of the most intense television she’s ever seen.

You can catch Dever’s powerful performance as Abby on HBO Max, where each episode of ‘The Last of Us’ will be dropping soon. Don’t miss this incredible show, filled with emotion, action, and unforgettable characters.