The Last of Us: Why Abby's Story Got a Big Change for TV

The HBO series The Last of Us had to make some big changes to Abby's story. In the video game, players don't find out much about Abby until about halfway through. She's a new character who is both good and bad, but her past and reasons aren't clear at first. Players only start to understand her when they begin controlling her character. However, the TV show didn't have the same amount of time to reveal these details. The show releases episodes weekly, each about an hour long. If they waited as long as the game did to show Abby's background, viewers would have to wait too long. So, the creators moved up some parts of her story. In the first episode of season 2, it's clearer why Abby is after Joel and Ellie. She's seeking revenge, and her reasons are shown right from the start. This change wasn't just about timing. It was also about how viewers would connect with Abby on TV. In a game, players connect with a character quickly because they control them. But on TV, viewers need other ways to feel for Abby. So, the creators added more drama and backstory to help viewers understand and sympathize with her. They pulled forward certain events to reveal her story sooner. Finding the right actor for Abby was also crucial. Abby is a complex character. Viewers might hate her at times and feel for her at others. This mix of feelings is important for how viewers see and relate to her. The creators had to find an actor who could show this mix well. The TV show had to make these changes to keep viewers engaged. They had to find a way to make Abby's story work in a different format. By moving up parts of her story and adding more drama, they hoped to help viewers connect with her. The changes were necessary to make the story work on TV. However, it is important to note that the TV show's changes might not please everyone. Some fans of the game might not like how the story was altered. But the creators had to make these changes to make the show work.