Kaitlyn Devers role in the upcoming second season of HBO’s The Last of Us is apparently already making waves.

Season two co-star Isabela Merced claimed that on the set of the video game-based drama, Dever needed protection from people who “really hate” her character Abby Anderson – a soldier who eventually clashes with Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey).

“There are so many weird people in this world because there are people who really hate Abby, who is not a real person,” Merced said at the Happy Sad Confused Podcast. “Kaitlyn had to be particularly well protected by security during filming.”

In addition to Abby’s role as an antagonist to Ellie and Joel (Pedro Pascal), some video game fans have also expressed hatred towards the character because of her appearance and false speculation that she is transgender. Others have complained that Dever is not muscular enough to play the role.

“What confuses me is that the showrunner and the creator of the video game are working on it together. So if you like what the guy did and he makes more of it, why are you mad? I have too much opinion to be on Twitter. I see this stuff on Twitter and it makes me want to be Cardi B.”

Merced, who plays Ellie’s partner and co-conspirator Dina in season 2, subsequently defended Dever, whose mother died of breast cancer in February.

“Kaitlyn is such a cool person who doesn’t let anything get to her,” she said. “She really had her head in the right place and is going through a lot personally. It’s devastating to see that, but honestly, give her the damn Emmy. I’m so excited for people to see how amazingly well Bella and Kaitlyn did.”

In addition to Dever and Merced, the newcomers to the second season include Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Wright, Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle, Young Mazino, Ariela Barer and Spencer Lord. The season is scheduled to premiere on Max in 2025.