Who is Abby in The Last of Us 2? Revenge, new faces & What you need to know

The fungal wasteland of The Last of Us has returned to our screens, and this time, the emotional stakes are higher than ever.

HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Naughty Dog’s groundbreaking video game series premiered its second season on April 12, 2025, delivering the same heart-wrenching storytelling that made Season 1 a cultural phenomenon – while introducing dangerous new threats both human and infected.

A Cast That Brings the Apocalypse to Life

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprise their iconic roles as Joel and Ellie, the surrogate father-daughter duo whose bond was forged in fire during Season 1. But Season 2’s true revelation is Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, one of gaming’s most controversial characters brought to terrifying life.

New additions to the cast include:

• Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek) as the grieving widow of Eugene, a victim of Joel’s violent past
• Young Mazino (Beef) as Jesse, Jackson’s capable and charismatic security lead
• Isabela Merced as Dina, Ellie’s love interest and emotional anchor

Showrunner Craig Mazin told Entertainment Weekly: “We’re not shying away from the game’s most challenging moments. This season will test audiences in the best possible way.”

Abby’s Revenge: The Beating Heart of Season 2

For those unfamiliar with The Last of Us Part II, Abby’s introduction marks a seismic shift in the narrative. Her father Jerry – the Firefly surgeon Joel murdered to save Ellie in Season 1’s finale – was working on a potential cure using Ellie’s immunity. This single act of paternal love doomed humanity but saved a life, and now the consequences come due.

Key details about Abby’s mission:

• Trained soldier with the Washington Liberation Front (WLF)
• Has spent years tracking Joel’s whereabouts
• Her quest mirrors Joel’s own destructive path in Season 1
• Forces players (and now viewers) to confront moral ambiguity

“Abby isn’t just a villain,” Dever explained at Comic-Con. “She’s someone who’s suffered unimaginable loss, just like Joel and Ellie. That complexity is what makes her so compelling.”

What to Expect From the New Season

Early reviews praise Season 2 for its:

1. Faithful Game Adaptations

• The terrifying Rat King infected
• The haunting Seraphite cult
• Jackson’s thriving survivor community

2. Expanded Worldbuilding

• New factions like the WLF and Seraphites
• Different perspectives on post-apocalyptic survival
• Deeper exploration of the Cordyceps mutation

3. Emotional Gut-Punches

• Shocking betrayals
• Impossible moral choices
• Relationships pushed to breaking points