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(Image credit: HBO) The Last of Us season 2 star Kaitlyn Dever has revealed that she didn't have to audition to get the role of Abby – showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin said the role was hers, if she wanted it. "They’re very confident storytellers," Dever told The Hollywood Reporter. "They know who is right for their story, and they have such confidence in that. It’s very helpful when you’re making something like this, because it allows for freedom, and for feeling safe to play these characters." According to the publication, Dever's castmates and other season 2 newcomers Isabela Merced and Young Mazino, who play Dina and Jesse, had similar experiences when it came to joining the show. You may like The Last of Us showrunner says newcomer Kaitlyn Dever was "within The Last of Us DNA" before the show existed Abby star Kaitlyn Dever played the Last of Us games with her dad and has been a fan "for a very long time" Dever had originally met with Druckmann several years ago about potentially playing Ellie in the series, which didn't work out. The pair stayed in touch, though, and Dever did some voice and motion capture work on Naughty Dog's Uncharted 4, before the offer to play Abby came through. "I’m still shocked to this day that it happened this way," she added. Abby made her TV show debut in the season 2 premiere, making a brief but chilling first impression. She's part of the Firefly group who came up against Joel in the season 1 finale, when he took down everyone in his path to save Ellie from having her brain removed in the hopes of finding a cure. Abby's father was one of the people he killed, and she's out for revenge. New episodes of The Last of Us season 2 are released weekly on HBO and Max in the US and Sky and NOW in the UK. Make sure you don't miss an episode with our The Last of Us season 2 release schedule, or read more about the new season in our spoiler-free The Last of Us season 2 review. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. See more TV Shows News Streaming Services Emily Garbutt Social Links Navigation Entertainment Writer I’m an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering everything film and TV-related across the Total Film and SFX sections. I help bring you all the latest news and also the occasional feature too. I’ve previously written for publications like HuffPost and i-D after getting my NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. The Last of Us showrunner says newcomer Kaitlyn Dever was "within The Last of Us DNA" before the show existed Abby star Kaitlyn Dever played the Last of Us games with her dad and has been a fan "for a very long time" The Last of Us showrunner praises Abby actor's "physically tremendous" performance ahead of season 2: "We just haven't f**ked up in casting" The Last of Us season 2's Abby star Kaitlyn Dever admits it's been hard to not look at character backlash on the internet After appearing in everything from Fallout to Final Fantasy, Naughty Dog nearly didn't cast Abby's actor in The Last of Us 2 until it noticed her audition had one thing no one else's did The Last of Us season 2 creator says Abby looks different from the games because there's "not as much violent action" and that it's "more about the drama" Latest in Sci-Fi Shows Black Mirror is gaslighting its own viewers – by releasing different versions of the same episode on Netflix Kaitlyn Dever says she didn't have to audition to play Abby in The Last of Us season 2: "They know who is right for their story" Walton Goggins knows second seasons of great shows always "cook" and expects Fallout to do the same: "That's where some real magic can happen" Doctor Who season 2, episode 2 spoiler-free review: 'Lux' is a "bold, bonkers" second episode with an amazing villain Andor season 2 release schedule: When is episode 1 on Disney Plus? The Last of Us fans all agree that Isabela Merced's "outstanding" performance as Dina was a high point of season 2 episode 1 Latest in News Black Mirror is gaslighting its own viewers – by releasing different versions of the same episode on Netflix Captain America star Anthony Mackie talks up Avengers: Doomsday's big mission statement: "It's going to give the audience that old Marvel feeling" Kaitlyn Dever says she didn't have to audition to play Abby in The Last of Us season 2: "They know who is right for their story" Mario Kart World might feature one of the series' most iconic moves, letting you dodge the infamous blue shell with a well-timed mushroom boost Former PlayStation boss wishes that Nintendo Switch 2 wasn't just a better Switch: "Nintendo is losing their identity" Walton Goggins knows second seasons of great shows always "cook" and expects Fallout to do the same: "That's where some real magic can happen" GAME REVIEWS MOVIE REVIEWS Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread review -"Manages to give everyone something D&D can't match" Blue Prince review: "Thisexploration roguelike is like nothing else I've played, and became a puzzle obsession I just couldn't shake" Promise Mascot Agency review: "Yakuza management mechanics are messy, but I'm won over by its truly immaculate bizarre vibes" South of Midnight review: "A spellbinding tale that struggles to find its rhythm" Agricola review: "Accurate representation of the highly competitive and often unstable world of agriculture" A Minecraft Movie Review: "Jack Black's irrepressible star turn helps elevate this video game adaptation" The Electric State review: "Although this may be their most visually stunning movie yet, it looks like the Russos are yet to find their footing outside of the MCU" Fight or Flight review: "Slick and silly action sequences garner well-earned John Wick and Bullet train comparisons" Mickey 17 Review: "Bong Joon Ho's best English movie to date and arguably Robert Pattinson's best movie ever" Captain America: Brave New World review: "Anthony Mackie's Cap earns his Stars and Stripes in this uneven, un-MCU thriller" Doctor Who season 2, episode 2 spoiler-free review: 'Lux' is a "bold, bonkers" second episode with an amazing villain Doctor Who season 2, episode 1 spoiler-free review: "'The Robot Revolution' is an impressive first episode for new companion Belinda Chandra" The Last of Us season 2 review: "Brilliant and visceral but fails to capture the magic of season 1" Devil May Cry review: "Netflix's anime adaptation is dated and clunky, but does capture some of the anarchic spirit of the original games" Lazarus review: "Unfortunately Cowboy Bebop director's new sci-fi anime never quite melds into a harmonious whole" GamesRadar+ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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