Criticized on her physique in The Last of Us, Melanie Lynskey, who camps Kathleen, responded to a remark on social networks that challenged her.
It is one of the great novelties of the serial adaptation of The Last of Us: Melanie Lynskey embodies a new character who does not exist in the famous video game. Introduced in Episode 4, her character named Kathleen is the leader of a group of militarized revolutionaries in Kansas City.
This faction of rebels at war with the FEDRA (Federal Disaster Management Agency) uses violence to make their voices heard and to gain control over the city. But Kathleen’s character is more complex than it seems, and the series explores her motivations and the reasons why she is so bloodthirsty.
This character invented by co-showrunner Craig Mazin makes the link between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and other characters well known to video game fans, namely Henry and his little brother Sam.
Kathleen also helps bring nuance to this part of Joel and Ellie’s story. Even though she’s an antagonist, her complex backstory makes her interesting on the show, co-showrunner Neil Druckmann explained to ScreenRant :
“Craig invented Kathleen, who’s the leader of what’s been called Hunters in the game, and Hunters play a slightly different role here. I like the idea that it’s not just good and bad guys. bad guys. Everyone’s trying to survive, everyone’s trying to live life to the fullest. But often the goals are in competition with each other, and that’s where the interesting stuff happens.”
Melanie Lynskey responds to criticism
The character of Melanie Lynskey has however been criticized by some Internet users on social networks, in particular by the model Adrianne Curry, winner of the first season of the show “America’s Next Top Model”.
The latter tweeted under a photo of the New Zealand actress and criticized her physique in a post, since deleted: “Her build expresses a certain life of luxury…not a post-apocalyptic warlord. Where’s Linda Hamilton [l’actrice de Terminator, ndlr] when you need her?”
Melanie Lynskey quickly responded to Adrianne Curry on Twitter with a screenshot of her post. The actress didn’t want to let this derogatory remark about her character’s corpulence pass:
“First of all, this is a photo from my photo shoot for InStyle magazine, not a photo from HBO’s The Last Of Us. And I’m playing someone who meticulously planned and executed a reversal of FEDRA. I’m supposed to be smart, ma’am. I don’t need to be tough. That’s what henchmen are for.”
Melanie Lynskey went on to explain that she understands that some people think she’s an amazing casting choice but that the most exciting part of her job was just to subvert expectations. She took the opportunity to thank her fans and all those who supported her.
The first four episodes of The Last of Us are available on Prime Video.
