Kaitlyn Dever opens up about grieving her mom while filming The Last of Us season 2: “I was in a daze”

Kathy passed away in February 2024 after a 14-year battle with metastatic breast cancer — a loss Kaitlyn shared in a heartfelt Instagram post, calling her mom her “best friend” and “the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
Soon after, Dever found herself immersed in the demanding world of The Last of Us, portraying Abby — a character whose actions in the video game, especially the killing of Pedro Pascal’s Joel, have made her one of the most controversial figures in the franchise. The pivotal moment aired in the April 20 episode, and Dever reflected on what it took to film the emotionally charged scene.
“I was in a daze,” she said. “There was so much going on in my heart, in my head. I was trying to hold it together, but at the same time, I wanted to give this character the complexity and humanity she deserves.”
The decision to cast Dever as Abby wasn’t just bold — it was met with intense fan reactions. The production reportedly required extra security on set due to the polarizing nature of the character, especially among die-hard gamers who were already bracing for the series to follow the game’s dark storyline.
Despite the challenges, Dever channeled her pain into her performance, adding unexpected emotional depth to Abby’s arc.
“It’s strange to say, but grief helped me understand her better,” she admitted. “Abby is dealing with her own loss and sense of justice. I poured a lot of what I was feeling into her.”
As fans continue to unpack the series’ second season, Dever’s portrayal of Abby stands out not only for its fearless intensity, but for the deeply personal strength behind it.