9 Ways The Last Of Us 2 Was Almost Completely Different

6. Laura Bailey Originally Auditioned For Dina

It's difficult to think of a game series better cast than The Last of Us. These actors have become synonymous with their characters, and that relationship has given us some of gaming's best ever performances.

Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker as Ellie and Joel are of course the first that come to mind, but it's arguably Laura Bailey as Abby who had the most difficult job ahead of her. Not only does Abby demand an incredible amount of versatility and nuance to do the writing justice, but her transformation from monster who killed a beloved character to someone who could be redeemed in the eyes of the audience needed to be convincing in order for players to not immediately revolt.

Bailey, of course, nails every aspect of this and then some, bringing both tender ferocity and an understated vulnerability to the controversial figure. However, the actor was not the first choice.

In fact, Neil Druckmann didn't want her in the game at all.

In an anecdote told on the Kinda Funny spoilercast, the director explained that Laura Bailey - quite rightly - is one of the most popular video game actors working, and he was looking for someone new to tackle the character. Initially, she was thought of for Dina instead, but after after auditioning a bunch of different candidates for Abby, only Bailey brought what he needed.

Apparently, most were playing Abby with straight-laced anger, going as large as possible whereas Bailey kept the vulnerability at the heart of the performance. She understood this isn't someone who is an uncompromising monster, but someone acting like one.