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Kaitlyn Dever, one of Hollywood’s most versatile young actresses, has taken on two of the year’s most talked-about roles. In HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, she portrays Abby, a complex and controversial character whose actions have sparked intense debate among fans. Simultaneously, Dever leads Netflix’s limited series Apple Cider Vinegar, playing Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through alternative remedies. 

With the Season 2 finale of The Last of Us airing on Sunday, May 25, 2025, viewers are eager to see how Kaitlyn’s portrayal of Abby concludes this chapter of the story.

At 28, the actress has already showcased her acting range in acclaimed projects like Booksmart, Unbelievable, and Dopesick. Find out more about Kaitlyn below.

Kaitlyn Has Two Huge TV Roles in 2025

Kaitlyn has made waves in 2025 with two major TV roles. She stars as Abby Anderson in season 2 of The Last of Us, the character known to fans of the video game for killing Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, in a pivotal early episode. While the moment wasn’t unexpected for gamers, it still stirred intense reactions from viewers watching it play out on screen.

Although many fans had originally envisioned The Wilds star Shannon Berry in the role of Abby, it was Kaitlyn who ultimately landed the part

“Our casting process for season two has been identical to season one: we look for world-class actors who embody the souls of the characters in the source material,” series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann said in a statement at the time, according to Variety. “Nothing matters more than talent, and we’re thrilled to have an acclaimed performer like Kaitlyn join Pedro, Bella and the rest of our family.”

Outside of The Last of Us, Kaitlyn also leads Netflix’s limited series Apple Cider Vinegar, portraying Belle Gibson.

Kaitlyn Is an Emmy Nominee

Kaitlyn earned her first Emmy nomination for her role in Hulu’s critically acclaimed limited series Dopesick. She played a young woman who becomes addicted to painkillers. She also received Golden Globe nominations for her performances in Dopesick and the Netflix series Unbelievable.

Kaitlyn Rose to Fame on ‘Last Man Standing’

Kaitlyn had a breakout moment playing Eve Baxter, the daughter of Tim Allen’s character, in the comedy series Last Man Standing. She was a series regular for the first 6 seasons before becoming a recurring player for seasons 7 to 9. She also notably played Loretta McCready in Justified.

Her first film role was in the 2011 movie Bad Teacher. Her major movie roles include Booksmart, Ticket to Paradise, and No One Will Save You.

Kaitlyn Is Also a Singer

Kaitlyn is part of the musical duo Beulahbelle with her sister Mady Dever. They released the song “Let You Go” for the Tully soundtrack in 2018. Kaitlyn also performed several songs in the Dear Evan Hansen movie.

Kaitlyn’s Parents Were Ice Skating Coaches

Kaitlyn’s parents are Kathy and Tim Dever. Her dad also voiced Barney from 1999 to 2001. Kaitlyn was born in Phoenix but lived in Dallas as well before moving to Los Angeles.