Steven Prusakowski
(Warning: The Last of Us season 2 spoilers ahead)
Kaitlyn Dever, at just 28, has established herself as a dynamic talent in television and film, with a remarkable ability to fully inhabit her characters. From the humor and heart of Booksmart to the raw pain of addiction in Dopesick and the silent resilience of No One Will Save You (a virtually dialogue free sci-fi thriller that Joey raved about here), Dever’s career showcases an impressive range across genres. And that is just the last few years.
Her latest roles, playing the manipulative Belle Gibson in Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar and the grief-stricken, ruthless Abby in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, highlight her skill in crafting distinct and compelling characters. Kaitlyn recently joined me on TV Topics podcast, Dever revealed the care she outs into her` role choices, reflecting deeply on each character to craft captivating, authentic performances. She was a wonderful guest, enthusiastic and engaging, giving thoughtful answers that capture her as an artist and warmth as a person – all while talking TV.
Dever’s career is defined by her pursuit of varied, challenging characters. When the subject of her wide-ranging role choices came up, the actress confirmed it was not by chance. “I definitely try. It’s definitely something I try to do,” expressed Dever.
“As I’ve gotten older and been given so many opportunities to work so much, I really do seek out projects that feel very different from each other. It feels like I’m really exploring new avenues and working my brain in a different way. I think that that makes it feel, it just feels really good for me to be able to do that kind of work, because it feels like I’m really digging into something new and diving deeper into new territory that I haven’t explored yet.”
She continued, “I’ve really grown as a human being and as an actor, getting to do all of the different kinds of roles that I’ve done, but I definitely do it on purpose.” This variety gives Dever the opportunity to shift between a rebellious teen, a struggling addict, or a silent survivor, each role a fresh exploration that deepens her craft and resonates with audiences.
Her portrayal of Abby in The Last of Us Season 2 required a visceral, grounded intensity distinct from her other roles, the way she carried herself even factored in. It all combines to create a character who is not just dialogue but an outward representation of her tragic situation. Dever shared, “Well, it’s just tapping into another mindset. I felt like for Belle, I was tapping into this more like calculated mindset kind of that, there’s so much going on behind her eyes thing. And she’s very charming and sexy and very different from Abby in that Abby what and what drives Abby is just, I think, anger and rage and real grief. I think she’s just seen so much in her life and has had to go through a lot.”
“I wanted to feel that weight in her presence,” explained Dever. “I just changed the way that I walked. I sort of I feel like I meditate on these things a lot – I’m very much an internalize or internalize everything.” Her shift from Belle’s calculated charm to Abby’s raw anguish makes the two characters entirely distinct. Dever’s ability to embody each role creates entirely unique personas. When watching Apple Cider Vinegar and The Last of Us back-to-back (as I did), viewers don’t see Dever; they see only Abby or Belle.
A key scene in The Last of Us (warning: spoilers ahead) was elevated by director Mark Milot’s distinctive approach, which Dever revealed: “Mark Millot, our director, he did an amazing thing for that scene. He came up to all of us as a group, called us all and he’s like, ‘Okay, Fireflies, everybody huddle around – basically like we were a sports team and gave us all of our notes in front of each other. ” This approach created a supportive environment, allowing Dever to delve deeper into Abby’s complex emotions.
That support would be needed for the actress to shoot one of the most heart-wrenching and ruthless scenes to hit the small screen. Of course referring to when Abby kills Joel in episode two. She described the process, saying, “What was funny is… when you’re doing something that heavy and sad together, you almost sort of end up trauma bonding.” The scene’s intensity struck her when watching it, she revealed, “When I saw episode two, I mean, both (series) were really emotional. Certainly cried when I watched Apple Cider Vinegar because of the storyline with Alycia’s character Mila and her relationship with her mom really got me,” she shared.
“That scene was awful.” She vividly recalled, “And even though I did it and I was there and I watched that happen in real time, when they shot when Bella goes over to Pedro and wraps their arm around his body. I saw that like happen as it happened. It was really sad on the day.” The scene’s impact extended to her family (and TV confidant), as she shared, “And my sister, my littlest sister when she watched it, she sent me a picture of her face and her eyes were just totally red and full of tears. And she was like, thanks a lot. I’m like, I’m sorry.” Dever’s ability to convey Abby’s turmoil elevates the series’ emotional stakes, grounding its post-apocalyptic narrative in human depth not just shock and awe.
In Apple Cider Vinegar, Dever’s portrayal of Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer who fabricated a cancer diagnosis, is both provocative and compelling. The manipulative, heartless nature of the character did not sit well with her. “I was so infuriated. And then I felt like I had a certain duty to get the story out there to tell this to be a part of the story in some sort of way, confessed Dever. “And because I had such a personal connection to it, and I have personally dealt with having a loved one that has had cancer, it was just maddening that Belle Gibson would go through so much to tell that kind of lie and how many people she affected in that scheme and how many lives were probably lost because of this, the information she was sending out on her socials.” Her performance, a perfect complex cocktail combining charisma and deceit, anchors the series keeping viewers engaged even when they may share that anger at her selfish actions.
Looking to Season 3 of The Last of Us, Dever hinted at Abby’s future: “I’m excited to get to sort of explore that in season three and, you know, I guess explore more of that and what that’s going to feel like.” Her anticipation suggests a deeper exploration of Abby’s mirrored journey with Ellie, promising another nuanced performance.
During the TV Topics portion of the conversation, who the actress when she is not transforming into a character really shined through – the magic of the podcast. Though she knows she is behind on television, the busy actress has many shows that connect with her. She shared a fond memory of her mother’s Seinfeld obsession: “My mom would just be screaming, laughing all the time. She had a very specific laugh – when she thought something was really funny, it would echo throughout the whole house. And we’re like, ‘Oh, she’s watching Seinfeld again.”
Kaitlyn Dever’s TV Topics interview is a must-listen (video coming soon) showcasing her as smart, passionate, and delightfully fun. From her appreciation for Raven-Symoné (one of the most unexpected, and considerate answers to ever given on the podcasr) to her love for New Girl’s quirky crew, her enthusiasm for good storytelling is infectious. Catch her transformative performances in Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix and The Last of Us Season 2 on HBO, where she continues to redefine versatility on screen.
Another nepo baby in Hollywood. She’s overrated, overhyped.