The Last of Us was forced to increase security on set during filming of the second season because fans hated the new character Abby (portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever).

Max’s hit series starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal is a film adaptation of the popular apocalyptic PlayStation video game.

The second season of the series – expected to debut sometime in 2025 – is based on the 2020 video game sequel. The Last of Us Part 2which takes place five years after the events in The last of us.

The new series will welcome Booksmart Dever stars as Abby, a central character and main antagonist in the sequel, as well as Dina (Isabela Merced), a new lover of Ellie (Ramsey).

We talk about the environment on the set of a new episode of Happy Sad Confused In a podcast, Merced revealed that Dever “had to be particularly protected by security during filming (Season 2)” because her character Abby had a negative perception among video game fans.

Merced explained that there are “so many weird people” who “really hate Abby.”

“Just a reminder, (she is) not a real person,” said the 23-year-old Madame Web The actor continued, “Katilyn is such a cool person who never lets anything bother her, always has her head in the right place and is also going through a lot personally right now.”

“It’s devastating to see this,” Merced added. “But also – give her the damn Emmy, honestly. I’m so excited for people to see how incredibly well Bella and Kaitlyn did. I’m so excited.”

The Independent has asked HBO for further comment.

According to Abby’s official character description, she is “a seasoned soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is tested as she seeks vengeance for those she loves.”

Dever, 27, had originally announced that she The Last of Us in January and wrote on Instagram: “So excited to be part of the family.”

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann said in a joint statement at the time: “Our casting process for season two was identical to that for season one: we are looking for world-class actors who can embody the souls of the characters from the source material. Nothing matters more than talent, and we are thrilled to welcome an acclaimed actress like Kaitlyn to Pedro (Pascal), Bella and the rest of our family.”

Before she got the role of Abby, Dever first auditioned for the role of Ellie, The Hollywood Reporter revealed.

Production on the second season began in February, following significant delays caused by joint actor-writer strikes in Hollywood last year.

The opening season of The Last of Us won eight of its 24 nominations at the postponed 75th Primetime Emmys, which took place in early January.