Washington [US], June 11: The creators of HBO’s acclaimed series The Last of Us, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, have confirmed that Kaitlyn Dever will take on the pivotal role of Abby in Season 3 — the character known for brutally killing Pedro Pascal’s character Joel in Season 2.
The announcement came during an Emmys FYC (For Your Consideration) event, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The creators also teased significant tonal and visual shifts for the upcoming season.
Druckmann hinted, “Season three will be more of a water season than a fire season,” while Mazin added, “a wetter season than a hotter season,” indicating a possible move toward a colder, rain-soaked setting.
Creators Double Down on Risky Storytelling
Despite fan backlash over Joel’s shocking death, the creators defended the decision, maintaining that the show is about grief and realism, not revenge or fan service.
“How are we supposed to grieve if nobody we truly are invested in dies?” Mazin asked, pushing back on the idea of “plot armor” for key characters.
Druckmann praised HBO for allowing them to stay true to the story, saying, “I was sure that they wouldn’t let us do this when we started adapting this, but they’ve leaned into what makes the story special.”
Kaitlyn Dever on Playing Abby
Appearing remotely during the event, Kaitlyn Dever expressed her excitement about joining the series, brushing off concerns about playing such a divisive character.
“The controversy surrounding Abby was never really a concern for me,” said Dever, applauding the creative team and the depth of the storytelling.
Abby’s introduction is expected to further intensify emotional stakes and deepen the show’s themes of loss, vengeance, and moral ambiguity.
What to Expect from Season 3
With Season 3 confirmed to shift visually and thematically, fans can expect a bold continuation of The Last of Us, known for its unflinching storytelling, emotional depth, and cinematic world-building.