The Last Of Us Casting Shock: Why Kaitlyn Dever Was Almost Ellie But Is Now Playing Abby In Season 2

The story of Kaitlyn Dever and the role of Ellie in *The Last of Us* is one of Hollywood's great "what ifs," but the reality is even more dramatic and compelling. As of December 12, 2025, the latest and most crucial update is that while Dever was once the top choice for the lead role of Ellie, she is now officially cast as Abby Anderson, Ellie's controversial and formidable nemesis, for the highly anticipated second season of the HBO series. This casting decision—a full-circle moment a decade in the making—has ignited fan discussion, setting the stage for one of the most talked-about television events of the next year. This deep dive explores the decade-long journey of Kaitlyn Dever’s connection to the iconic video game franchise, revealing why she missed out on playing Ellie, how the creators kept her in mind, and the incredible challenge she now faces bringing the polarizing character of Abby to life. Her involvement, confirmed for the 2025 season, ensures that the central conflict of *The Last of Us Part II* will be brought to the screen by one of the industry's most acclaimed young actresses.

Kaitlyn Dever: Biography, Filmography, and Awards

Kaitlyn Rochelle Dever is an American actress known for her versatility across comedy and drama, earning critical praise for her work in television and film.

• Full Name: Kaitlyn Rochelle Dever
• Date of Birth: December 21, 1996
• Place of Birth: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
• Age (as of 2025): 28
• Career Start: Began acting professionally in 2009.
• Major Breakthrough Roles:
  • Eve Baxter in the sitcom *Last Man Standing* (2011–2021)
  • Marie Adler in the miniseries *Unbelievable* (2019)
  • Betsy Mallum in the miniseries *Dopesick* (2021)
• Key Awards & Nominations:
  • Nominated for two Golden Globe Awards (for *Unbelievable* and *Dopesick*).
  • Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards (for *Unbelievable* and *Dopesick*).
• Recent & Upcoming Projects (2025 and beyond):
  • *The Last of Us* (Season 2) as Abby (2025)
  • *A House of Dynamite* (2025)
  • *Godzilla X Kong: Supernova* (2027)

The Decade-Long Near-Miss: Why Dever Didn't Become Ellie

The connection between Kaitlyn Dever and the character of Ellie Williams is not a new fan-casting rumor; it's a documented, near-miss moment that spans nearly a decade. Before HBO’s critically acclaimed series, *The Last of Us* was initially planned as a feature film adaptation. During this period, Neil Druckmann, the game’s creator, had already identified Dever as a frontrunner for the role of Ellie.

Dever was considered the perfect fit due to her ability to portray a blend of vulnerability, grit, and dark humor—qualities essential to the character. However, the film project stalled and was ultimately scrapped. When the adaptation was revived as an HBO series, the casting process began anew for the roles of Joel Miller and Ellie.

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The primary reason for Dever's eventual non-casting as Ellie in the series was simple: time. By the time the HBO show was ready for production, Dever had aged beyond the character’s initial teenage years. Ellie in Season 1 is a 14-year-old, and the creators felt they needed a younger actress to convincingly portray her adolescence and subsequent growth over multiple seasons. Neil Druckmann himself stated that by the time the show was ready, Dever was "too old" for the role, which ultimately went to the equally talented Bella Ramsey.

The Ultimate Twist: Casting Dever as Abby Anderson for Season 2

Despite missing out on Ellie, the show's creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, made it clear they were huge fans of Dever's work and were determined to bring her into *The Last of Us* universe. This desire culminated in one of the most significant and talked-about casting announcements for Season 2: Kaitlyn Dever was cast as Abby Anderson.

Abby is the central antagonist of the video game *The Last of Us Part II* and Ellie’s main rival. She is a soldier whose quest for revenge drives the core narrative of the second part of the story, leading to a brutal and complex confrontation with Ellie. This role is a massive undertaking, requiring an actress who can convey intense physical presence, deep emotional trauma, and a polarizing sense of morality.

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The irony of Dever being the top choice for Ellie a decade ago and now playing her most bitter enemy is not lost on fans or the creators. It creates a unique, meta layer of dramatic tension for the series. The creators have expressed immense confidence in Dever's ability to tackle the physically and emotionally demanding role, which is arguably one of the most challenging in modern video game adaptations.

Fan Reaction and Topical Authority: From Fan-Cast to Fierce Rival

The news of Kaitlyn Dever’s casting as Abby has been met with a mixture of excitement and intense scrutiny, reflecting the controversial nature of the character in the source material. Abby's storyline in *The Last of Us Part II* is divisive, and fans knew the actress taking the role would face an uphill battle. Dever's established reputation as a serious, award-nominated dramatic actress (for roles in *Unbelievable* and *Dopesick*) lends immediate credibility and topical authority to the polarizing role.

The discussion has evolved from whether she *should have* been Ellie to how she will perform as Abby, Ellie's ultimate foil. This unexpected casting twist has effectively leveraged the decade-old "Kaitlyn Dever as Ellie" speculation into a powerful narrative tool for the show. It’s a testament to the creators' commitment to casting the best available talent, even if it means bringing in an actress who was once considered for the opposite role.

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Furthermore, the current Ellie, Bella Ramsey, has publicly shared her support for Dever's casting, signaling a professional and supportive atmosphere behind the scenes as they prepare to film their intense, antagonistic scenes together. The focus is now on the dynamic between Dever's Abby and Ramsey's Ellie, a rivalry that will define the highly anticipated second season. This casting choice is not just a major update; it's a brilliant piece of dramatic irony that promises to elevate the complex narrative of *The Last of Us* to new heights.