The Last of Us had to CGI on Kaitlyn Dever for this particular reason

The Last of Us is a television series set in a world ravaged by a terrible fungus. It follows Joel, a fierce survivor, and Ellie, a brave little girl, as they travel throughout the United States for safety.

The show is based on a well-known video game and stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie respectively. It combines action, emotion, and suspense as the protagonists confront peril and establish powerful ties with each other.

Kaitlyn Dever who plays the role of Abby had to be digitally changed using CGI in The Last of Us Season 2 after sustaining a nasty spider bite on her cheek just before production. The bite intensified and became more noticeable, so the filmmakers employed CGI to conceal it in each picture, assuring consistency.

More about The Last of Us and Kaitlyn Dever

Kaitlyn Dever's first day on The Last of Us Season 2 did not go as expected. Just before production began, she awoke in Los Angeles with a swollen cheek caused by a spider bite.

The timing could not have been worse. Her first scene as Abby, a visit to the graves of her father and fellow Fireflies, was too vital to postpone. The bite got worse by the day. She said on Jimmy Kimmel Live on May 29, 2025 describing the mark:

"It started to ooze and then exploded."

Because the wound was so evident, the production team had no choice except to hide it using CGI. Each frame required digital cleanup, which cost thousands of dollars—fortunately, everything was covered by insurance. Dever persevered in spite of the unanticipated setback.

She explained how the bite first seemed to be a pimple in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on May 30, 2025. However, it quickly changed into something far more unpleasant—and obvious. Still, the visual effects crew worked their magic. She shared:

“And the CGI is amazing. You can’t even tell it is there. I still have a scar on my face because they had to cut it out."

Filming that scene was also emotionally intense. Dever had just lost her mother to cancer and returned to set days after the funeral. She channeled her grief into her performance, adding even more depth to the role.

About Kaitlyn Dever

American actress, singer, and musician Kaitlyn Dever is renowned for her impactful roles in movies and television shows. With parts in Last Man Standing and Justified, she launched her career and quickly became well-known for her effortless on-screen persona.

She brings honesty to every part and is well-known for her emotional depth and on-screen persona. Whether it was her Emmy-nominated performance in Dopesick, or Golden Globe-nominated performance in Unbelievable, Dever possesses a unique talent for engaging viewers.

She began performing at an early age and has developed into one of Hollywood's most prestigious up-and-coming talents. She fully embraces the character of Abby in The Last of Us with her performance, which is passionate, grounded, and intensely real.

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