Does Abby Die in ‘The Last of Us’? Here’s What Happens to Her

The raw, unforgiving world of ‘The Last of Us’ thrives on tough choices and gut-punching moments. HBO’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’s gripping video game series has kept us glued to the screen with its intense drama and morally gray characters. Season 2 introduces Abby, a character who’s stirred up fierce reactions, leaving everyone wondering about her survival in this brutal tale.

Played by Kaitlyn Dever, Abby Anderson shakes up the story in ways that echo the divisive impact she had in ‘The Last of Us Part II.’ Her actions spark chaos, and her path crosses with Ellie’s in a cycle of revenge that’s as messy as it gets. I’m breaking down what happens to Abby, connecting her arc in the HBO show to the game, and exploring whether she makes it out alive.

Abby’s Role in HBO’s Season 2

Abby storms into ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 as a Firefly seeking vengeance for her father, a surgeon killed by Joel in the first game’s climax. In the show’s season 2 episode 2, she tracks Joel to Jackson, Wyoming, and kills him with a golf club after he saves her from infected during a blizzard. This mirrors the game’s shocking early twist, but HBO reveals Abby’s motives upfront, unlike the game’s slower unraveling of her backstory.

Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal leans into Abby’s emotional weight rather than the game’s muscular physique, a choice showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann made to fit TV’s focus on drama over action. Her grief and rage drive the story, setting up a clash with Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, who’s now hell-bent on revenge. The season, covering roughly half of ‘The Last of Us Part II,’ follows Abby’s time with the Washington Liberation Front (WLF) in Seattle, where she faces infected and Ellie’s pursuit.

Mazin told Variety that they tweaked Abby’s introduction to build empathy early, hoping to soften the backlash she faced in the game. Still, her dark actions make her a lightning rod for debate as Season 2 unfolds.

Does Abby Survive in the Game?

In ‘The Last of Us Part II,’ Abby’s fate is a rollercoaster. After killing Joel, she returns to Seattle, where she and her WLF allies, including Owen and Manny, face Ellie’s wrath. Ellie hunts them down, killing most of Abby’s crew. A pivotal moment comes when Abby and her friend Lev, a young Seraphite, are captured by the Rattlers, a slaver group, months after their Seattle showdown with Ellie.

Ellie, still haunted by Joel’s death, tracks Abby to Santa Barbara, finding her weak and imprisoned. In a brutal beach fight, Ellie nearly drowns Abby but spares her at the last moment, haunted by a memory of Joel. Abby survives, sailing off with Lev to find a new life, though her future is uncertain. This ending divided players—some felt it was merciful, others wanted her dead for Joel’s killing.

Neil Druckmann shared in a 2024 commentary for the game’s remaster that Abby was initially meant to die, with Ellie drowning her. The team changed this to break the revenge cycle, a core theme of the story. This choice shapes Abby’s arc as one of redemption, though it sparked heated debates among fans.

Will Abby Die in HBO’s Show?

HBO’s Season 2, with seven episodes, only adapts part of ‘The Last of Us Part II,’ ending before the game’s final Ellie-Abby confrontation. Season 3, already renewed, set to cover Abby’s later arc, including her time with the Rattlers. Since the show stays close to the game’s major beats, Abby likely survives Season 2, as her Santa Barbara showdown happens later.

Kaitlyn Dever is credited for all episodes, and set leaks from Vancouver, show her filming WLF scenes, suggesting she remains central. However, the show could tweak her fate.

Season 3 might still bring surprises. Mazin hinted that Abby’s story will “evolve” to fit TV, possibly deepening her bond with Lev, played by Spencer Lord. For now, Abby’s alive in Season 2, carrying the weight of her choices as Ellie closes in, with her ultimate fate hanging on the show’s next chapter.