WARNING: DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE LAST OF US SEASON 1.
Ready?
OK!
A few weeks ago, viewers were treated to quite an epic season finale of The Last of Us. It had beloved cameos for the fans, a satisfying end (?) to the arc between Bella Ramsey’s Ellie and Pedro Pascal’s Joel, and it more or less stayed true as an adaptation of the hit video game.
But folks, there’s a season 2 on the way, even if it might take a while. And you better believe that Abby Anderson — the famed antagonist of The Last of Us Part II — is coming. (As are more Infected.)
Who should play this vital character? Who should get in Ellie and Joel’s way? Call it a hunch, but I don’t necessarily think having Abby’s trademark jacked physique will be a prerequisite for any of these performers. (But it would be cool to see one of them transform!)
Let’s run down a few potential great options for HBO’s latest hit series.
Chloë Grace Moretz
Moretz has the science fiction chops between recent appearances in Amazon Prime’s The Peripheral and Hulu’s Mother/Android. Taking her flair for the dramatic to a post-apocalyptic setting would be a natural next step.
Julia Garner
Known for haunting performances in Netflix’s Ozark and The Assistant, Garner absolutely has the ability to summon the terrifying, brooding rage of Abby.
Shannon Berry
A little bit of a lesser-known performer, some sections of the internet have suggested Berry has already been casted as Abby.
You’ll likely know Berry best from her role on Amazon Prime’s The Wilds, where a group of teenage girls is stranded on a “deserted” island.
The backlog definitely fits!
Thomasin McKenzie
McKenzie first came to prominence for her role in Jojo Rabbit and eventually followed that up with a stunning performance in Last Night in Soho.
One thing’s for sure: McKenzie can undoubtedly channel the raw emotion needed to play Abby as a foil to Ellie.
Florence Pugh
My favorite pick for the role, I think a powerhouse like Pugh playing a powerhouse like Abby makes too much sense. Pugh’s extensive acting credits do not do her proper justice, and I can’t fathom a better villain at the end of the world.
Mackenzie Davis
Davis is probably a long shot because she already played a character in a post-apocalyptic HBO program, Station Eleven. That should not diminish someone who could clearly thrive in another fictional wasteland world.
Sophie Turner
Turner is definitely best known for her spellbinding role as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones. And guess what Sansa was? A quietly brilliant ball of fire who flexes her muscles when she has to. Talk about fitting the bill for Abby.
