Kaitlyn Dever Recalls The Last of Us Crew’s Changes For Murder Scene Three Days After Her Mom’s Funeral: ‘Wasn’t Able to…’

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Kaitlyn Dever’s debut in “The Last of Us” was a deeply sad event due to its timing. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dever, who has been nominated for an Emmy, shared that she filmed her first significant scene for Season 2—the brutal killing of Pedro Pascal’s character Joel by her character Abby—just three days after her mother’s funeral. She acknowledged that this timing left her emotionally vulnerable, but the cast and crew accommodated her to help ease into the process.

Speaking about it, Dever described the scene as incredibly intense, both emotionally and in terms of staging, reflecting the chaotic and overpowering nature of the filming process. Sadly, her mother, who had fought metastatic breast cancer for 14 years, passed away in February 2024 – mere weeks before production started.

Dever confessed that she was still in the throes of grief as the cameras began to roll. ‘I had lost my mother two or three weeks prior to filming this particular scene… My mother’s funeral took place just three days before I started shooting. So, I was somewhat detached. I was in a state of shock,’ she explained.

The creators of “The Last of Us” swiftly adapted to suit her needs, rearranging the shooting schedule to initiate scenes that didn’t demand her presence first. Dever was given the flexibility to decide when she felt emotionally prepared to take on the role. Co-creator Craig Mazin reassured her, saying, “Take your time. Take as much time as you need.” He emphasized that while he was passionate about the series, it wasn’t worth disrupting someone’s grieving process.

The particular scene – Abby’s brutal treatment leading to Joel’s death – echoes a pivotal violent episode from “The Last of Us Part II” video game. To ensure privacy, the filming location was sealed off, reducing staff presence. Due to this disruption in her regular acting preparation, Dever found herself relying on instinct. “I wasn’t able to follow my typical routine… but I believe it benefited the character. I simply let go and didn’t overanalyze it.

Regardless of its heavy emotional impact, Dever’s performance has created a stir among viewers, striking them with its genuine sincerity as described by Pedro Pascal. It’s peculiar that such a violent and sorrowful portrayal can swiftly connect the audience to the actor himself. Furthermore, Abby’s debut scene represents one of the series’ most emotionally charged moments, yet it also symbolizes an actress’ strength in handling grief with poise – not only on screen but also off it.

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2025-04-22 11:52