The Last of Us Season 2 Faces Unexpected Setback: Devastating News for Fans

Highlights

The Last of Us fans eagerly await news on the second season, particularly casting for the character Abby, who faced backlash for not conforming to Hollywood beauty standards.

Craig Mazin, the showrunner, acknowledges that the ongoing strike caused a delay in casting Abby, but assures fans that the show's history of successful cast announcements remains intact. Despite facing criticism and death threats, the creators of The Last of Us TV series remain steadfast in their commitment to sharing deeply impactful narratives and are ready to confront the negative responses towards Abby.

Fans were eagerly awaiting casting news for the highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us after being enthralled by the adaptation of Naughty Dog's acclaimed 2013 game, The Last of Us Part I. Particularly, they were excited to hear about the casting of Abby, the memorable villain portrayed by Laura Bailey, who exacted revenge on Joel, played by Troy Baker, for her father's demise. However, the excitement was abruptly halted when offensive criticism targeted Abby for not fitting conventional Hollywood beauty ideals.

But nevertheless, she will make an appearance in The Last of Us season 2, despite facing obstacles in finding the actress. "The strike halted our progress," confessed showrunner Craig Mazin to The Hollywood Reporter. "Things were already in motion. Look, Abby was our first priority in terms of casting. We have a proven track record of making significant casting announcements that have surprised people and sparked discussion, and that trend will likely continue. So while opinions may differ, I believe we have made the right choice thus far, and both the audience and the Academy seem to agree."

Mazin and the games' creative director, Neil Druckmann, are accustomed to facing criticism. Druckmann is famously unapologetic regarding the deaths of Joel and Abby. The narrative of The Last of Us has always revolved around the perpetuating cycle of violence. Initially, Joel kills a seemingly insignificant doctor to protect Ellie. However, this doctor happens to be Abby's father, leading her to seek revenge by killing Joel. This cycle of violence continues relentlessly until there is nothing left. Joel's fate in The Last of Us Part 2 is merely another aspect of the story that will be revisited in the series.

The disturbing backlash against Abby and the death threats towards the voice actor present complex challenges that Mazin and Druckmann are prepared to confront. If the first season is any indication, the creative minds behind the HBO show are determined to tell emotionally impactful, albeit brutal, narratives regardless of the consequences. While Bill and Frank's storyline differs from the games, the essence of their relationship remains intact. The Last of Us series has successfully improved upon the original story and is sure to do the same in the upcoming second season.

Abby's role in the story is crucial as she serves as a significant antagonist. Her importance is on par with Ellie (played by Ashley Johnson), regardless of what critics of The Last of Us video game may believe. As the relationship between Abby and Ellie develops, they both come to realize the toxicity of violence and understand that moving beyond it is the only means of survival. Without Abby, the show would not be complete. She deserves to be portrayed with the same depth and complexity as in the games. While fans may have to exercise patience until the strike is resolved, Abby will undoubtedly be a character worth waiting for.

Catch the first season of The Last of Us streaming on Max.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter