It’s been just a few weeks since season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us concluded. The show had thrilled audiences throughout its second season and it did so once again with the season finale, with featured the death of a great character and the return of Abby, who hasn’t been seen since the season 2 premiere.
The season 2 finale ends with a gunshot, the screen goes black, and then a flashback to days earlier from Abby’s perspective. And, unlike what many think, Abby's home is brighter and more vibrant than people would have expected. Thankfully, if you want to know more, you’re in luck. Season 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us will star Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, as we learn what she’s been up to after killing Joel.
Kaitlyn Dever will lead The Last of Us season 3 as Abby
The Last of Us creative team have confirmed that Kaitlyn Dever will star in the main role of season 3 as Abby, as the character steps forward as the new lead of the show for the next chapter. The announcement came at an Emmys FYC Event, where co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin opened up about how they "can’t believe" that HBO let them "structure the series in this way" (referring to how each season featured a new lead), adding "season three is going to be starring — spoiler alert — Kaitlyn.”
If we’re being honest, this isn’t breaking news. The end of the season foreshadowed what was coming. Plus, The Last of Us Part II was released in 2020. While people new to the story may not have known that Joel was going to die in the series, that revelation likely led them to look up what happens next. And what's next is a starring role for Abby.
Sadly, this could become more of a curse than a gift for season 3. Director Craig Mazin revealed to Variety that the show has gotten a lot of criticism for Joel being killed in the second episode of season 2. So much so that he's had to remind people that he didn't kill Pedro Pascal. To take it a step further, Mazin didn't kill Joel either. That was Abby, and it's canon for the video game lore.
"The big complaint that I've gotten is, 'Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?' And I keep explaining, we didn't kill him! He's a man, he's alive. He's fine. And he's in literally everything else."Craig Mazin
The beauty of The Last of Us is seeing both sides of the story. So far, people only familiar with the HBO show don’t know who Abby is. I won’t spoil what’s coming, but Abby isn’t the person you expect. She’s a character with a lot of depth that you should feel sympathy for. Remember, Abby had to see her father dead on the floor. That anger is exactly the same as the anger that inspired Ellie's journey in season 2.
As the creators mentioned during The Last of Us Season 2 Podcast, in different circumstances, Abby and Ellie might have been friends. They’re alike in ways that count and could have complemented each other when it counted.
That’s something that will be highlighted in season 3. Hopefully, people can look past what happened to Joel to see that. Otherwise, they’ll miss out on something brilliant.
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