An Inside Look Into the Online Harassment Faced by The Last of Us Part II Actor
Threats Target Well-known Actor Laura Bailey and Her Family
Fans of The Last of Us Part II may recall the intense backlash the game received upon its release. However, what went on behind the scenes was even worse for the creative team involved. Laura Bailey, the well-known actor who portrayed the character Abby, recently spoke out about the immense harassment she faced during the game’s release cycle.
In a recently premiered documentary, Bailey revealed the extent of the online vitriol she experienced. Some disgruntled fans directly targeted her, even resorting to threatening her two-year-old son. The backlash was a result of these fans’ displeasure with Abby’s character and story arc.
Online Abuse Against Women in the Video Game Industry
Sadly, harassment has become so commonplace for female figures in the video game industry that it is no longer shocking. Laura Bailey is not the only actor to face such abuse. Stephanie Tyler Jones, the face model for Spider-Man 2’s MJ, recently spoke out against stalking incidents that left her feeling unsafe even at her day job.
The treatment of Bailey for portraying a character she did not write raises concerns about how The Last of Us fans will respond to Kaitlyn Dever, who will play Abby in the HBO Max live-action adaptation. The online abuse faced by Bailey serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stepping away from social media to ensure personal well-being.
The Last of Us Part II and the Future
The documentary, Grounded II, not only sheds light on the behind-the-scenes development of The Last of Us Part II but also hints at a potential concept for a third game by Naughty Dog.
