Inside season two of ‘The Last of Us’: Newcomer Kaitlyn Dever on the return of the hugely successful video-game adaptation 

For Kaitlyn Dever, stepping into the role of Abby in season two of HBO’s acclaimed adaptation of the post-apocalyptic video-game franchise “The Last of Us” was both a dream and a test. (Courtesy of OSN+)
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Updated 04 April 2025
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Inside season two of ‘The Last of Us’: Newcomer Kaitlyn Dever on the return of the hugely successful video-game adaptation 

  • The HBO series will return for a second season on Apr. 14, streaming in the Middle East on OSN+

DUBAI: For Kaitlyn Dever, stepping into the role of Abby in season two of HBO’s acclaimed adaptation of the post-apocalyptic video-game franchise “The Last of Us” – returning for a second season to the Middle East on streaming platform OSN+ on Apr. 14 – was both a dream and a test. 

“Stepping into a role like this… I knew it was going to be challenging, but I was so up for that challenge,” the 28-year-old US actress tells Arab News. “She’s a woman who has gone through so much, and I consider her to be very, very strong and brave. She is someone who has suffered and gone through grief. I wanted to make sure that I got that right.” 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Abby is one of the most polarizing characters in the game’s universe — a complex and controversial figure who sparks a major emotional and physical shift in the story. Laura Bailey, who voiced Abby in the game, even received death threats. But Dever says she didn’t think twice about taking the role. 

“I hope that people are able to separate the person from the game or the show. We’re not these characters — we’re playing them,” she says. “The backlash was never going to stop me from playing Abby. It was such a great opportunity for me as an actor. I really do want to make the fans proud with my portrayal of Abby, but what is most important to me is tackling her emotional journey so that her arc really shines.” 

Dever says she also enjoyed the physical demands of the role — in the game Abby is a respected and feared fighter. “There was a lot of running, a lot of new stunts, a lot of wire work. That was a challenge because it was so new to me, but also very cool,” Dever says. 

In fact, joining “The Last of Us” has been a deeply rewarding experience all round for Dever. 

“It’s a really big deal to be a part of this show,” she says. “This franchise is so loved by so many people. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this group. The people that I get to work with and bond with are really something special. They’re truly such incredible artists all around and wonderful human beings.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Dever’s connection to the world of “The Last of Us” runs deep. She played both the first and second games and was immediately hooked. “I was kind of obsessed with the narrative,” she says of the first game. “I had never played a game that had such good storytelling… It was so beautiful to look at.” 

Playing the sequel with her dad made the experience even more personal. “That was what we really bonded over — just how beautiful it looked.” 

But when Abby’s character took center stage in the second game, it was a moment Dever never forgot. “It’s a very drastic shift — really jarring,” she says. “Almost like Abby and Ellie (Bella Ramsey’s character and the games’ main protagonist) are mirrors of each other.” 

She was also in the running to be cast in a mooted movie adaptation of “The Last of Us” almost a decade ago, she reveals. And while that version never materialized, she remained a fan, watching the TV version as soon as it premiered.  

Neil Druckmann — studio head of the game’s developer Naughty Dog, who co-runs the show with Craig Mazin — is as effusive about Dever as she is about the rest of the cast and crew.  

“Abby is a very complex character, as you’ll see throughout the season, and hopefully going forward. We felt fairly confident (Dever) could execute Abby extremely well, but it’s still like you’re taking some of it on faith. But the moment she stepped into the scene you didn’t see Kaitlyn anymore; you just saw Abby. It didn’t feel like a new actor or some junior actor coming in, it felt like a veteran acting with their peers,” he says. 

“I feel like I have very big shoes to fill. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get this role right and to do the story justice,” says Dever. “But the nerves went away, especially when I got on set and I got to play the scenes out with the cast. It was a very cool thing to be a part of.” 


Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

Updated 24 May 2025
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Guns N’ Roses wow Riyadh as part of 2025 global tour

  • Iconic band make major stop on Middle East leg of schedule 

RIYADH: Iconic American rock band Guns N’ Roses performed in Riyadh on Friday as part of their 2025 global tour, marking a major stop on the band’s Middle East schedule.

The group, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, took the stage to a packed crowd, kicking off the night with “Welcome to the Jungle.”

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST. (Supplied)

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. 

The concert was organized by MDLBEAST and, ahead of the event, Rayan Al-Rasheed, its director of operations and artist booking, highlighted the significance of hosting such acts in the Kingdom.

The high-energy set featured classic hits including “November Rain,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” with fans singing along throughout. (Supplied)

He said: “Saudi Arabia has become a key destination for global music acts. By hosting legendary artists like Guns N’ Roses we aim to elevate the Kingdom’s presence in the global music scene.”

The introduction of rock music to the Saudi musical landscape acknowledged a genre that had long had a strong presence in the country, he said, adding: “The popularity of bands like Metallica and Linkin Park shows that rock has deep roots here.”


Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

Updated 24 May 2025
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Kim Kardashian’s robbers found guilty in Paris

  • Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended

PARIS: A Paris court this week found the ringleader and seven other people guilty in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, but did not impose any additional time behind bars for their roles in what the US celebrity described as “the most terrifying experience of my life."

The chief judge, David De Pas, said that the defendants' ages — six are in their 60s and 70s — and their health issues weighed on the court’s decision to impose sentences that he said “aren’t very severe.”

He said that the nine years between the robbery and the trial — long even by the standards of France’s famously deliberate legal system — were also taken into account in not imposing harsher sentences. The court acquitted two of the 10 defendants.

Algerian-born Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the ringleader, got the stiffest sentence, eight years imprisonment but five of those were suspended.

Three others got seven years, five of them suspended. Three more got prison sentences ranging from five to three years, mostly or completely suspended, and an eighth person was found guilty on a weapons charge and fined.

With time already served in pretrial detention, none of those found guilty will go to prison and all walked out free. The trial was heard by a three-judge panel and six jurors.

Still, the chief judge said that Kardashian had been traumatized by the Oct. 2, 2016, jewel heist in her hotel during Fashion Week.

“You caused harm,” the judge said. “You caused fear.”

Kardashian, who wasn't present for the verdict, said in a statement issued afterward that she was “deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case.”

“The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice, and promoting a fair legal system," said the celebrity who is working to become a lawyer.


Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

Updated 24 May 2025
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Cara Delevingne wears Saudi label Ashi Studio

DUBAI: British actress and model Cara Delevingne wore a black gown by Saudi label Ashi Studio to the premiere of “La Venue de L’avenir” (“Colours of Time”) at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

The strapless gown featured a sleek, satin-like finish with a sculpted bodice that flowed into a straight, floor-length skirt, subtly draped at the hips. She paired the look with sheer black opera gloves for added drama.

Delevingne, her hair styled in soft waves, completed the ensemble with an emerald and diamond necklace and a matching ring from Hassanzadeh Jewellery.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Delevingne’s gown was originally presented during Paris Haute Couture Week as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. The version shown on the runway was in blue.

Delevingne was not the only star dressed in designs by Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, founder of Ashi Studio.

Hong Kong-Taiwanese actress and model Shu Qi also championed the designer at the premiere of “Resurrection,” wearing a deep burgundy velvet gown from his Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

The strapless dress featured a sleek, form-fitting silhouette. Its standout element was the train at the back, adorned with intricate gold-thread embroidery depicting trees, birds, houses, rivers and other landscape details.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Ashi and his atelier have been based in Paris since 2018. In 2023, he became the first designer from the Gulf region to be invited as a guest member of the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris, which allowed him to present on the official couture calendar.

In 2024, Ashi was commissioned to design the official cabin crew uniforms for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline.

His designs have also been worn by a number of international public figures and performers, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

He most recently dressed US actress Ali Ahn, star of Netflix’s “The Diplomat,” in a cream sculptural ensemble for the Screen Actors Guild Awards held in Los Angeles in February.

That same month, “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo also wore one of his creations to the 2025 Grammy Awards. Her look was from Ashi Studio’s Fall/Winter 2024-25 collection, titled “Sculpted Clouds.”


Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

Updated 23 May 2025
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Review: The secret ingredient is love in Netflix’s heartwarming film ‘Nonnas’

  • Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age

Netflix’s latest heartwarming film, “Nonnas” serves up more than just mouthwatering Americanized Italian food — it delivers a heartfelt story rooted in real life, proving that passion and purpose have no expiration date. It has steadily hovered in the top 10 Netflix film list in Saudi Arabia since its debut earlier this month.

Inspired by the true story of local Italian New Yorker Joe Scaravela’s Staten Island restaurant, Enoteca Maria/Nonnas of the World, which it self-describes as: “Convivial trattoria featuring real international grandmothers cooking on a rotating schedule,” the film highlights a special concept: Grandmothers, or “nonnas” (the Italian word for grandmother), from diverse backgrounds cook authentic, home-style meals for customers.

Vince Vaughn whips up a storm as Scaravela, the visionary who transforms deep personal loss into a vibrant tribute to family heritage: Handwritten scribbled recipes and all.

Alongside him, legendary actresses Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro bring the nonnas to life with warmth, humor and undeniable charm. Their performances challenge stereotypes about aging women, showing that these culinary matriarchs are far from “past their prime.” Instead, they are vibrant, innovative, creative and full of surprises — proving that life’s best chapters can unfold well beyond what society expects.

The film is a delightful reminder to believe in yourself, and also about the power of community. It celebrates the resilience and strength found in embracing one’s roots, sharing stories and opening hearts while breaking bread. Whether through a shared meal or unexpected romance, “Nonnas” reveals that love can always be found, no matter your age.

While some moments tread the line of predictable and are a bit too sentimental, the film’s earnest spirit and genuine affection for its characters shine through. A bit cheesy? Absolutely. But who doesn’t love a bit — or a lot — of cheese sprinkled in, especially when it’s served with a side of a home-cooked meal (for the soul)?


U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

Updated 23 May 2025
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U2’s Bono calls for Israel to be ‘released’ from Netanyahu

  • Singer tells country to shun ‘far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts’
  • Calls for protection of aid workers: ‘They’re the best of us’

LONDON: U2 singer Bono has called for Israel to be “released from (Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists.” 

The Irish musician made the statement at the Ivor Novello Awards, and called on Hamas to release all remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.

At the ceremony in London on Thursday, the singer said: “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there’s a few of them out there right now. 

“Hamas: Release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel: Be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they’re the best of us.”

U2, who were at the ceremony to be honored with an Academy Fellowship, then performed their song “Bloody Sunday,” which references the massacre of peaceful protesters by British troops in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

It is the first time that Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, has spoken publicly about Netanyahu since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

His words coincided with criticism of the prime minister by a number of Western leaders over Israel’s approach to the war, with international bodies warning that Gaza faces famine following an 11-week blockade on aid entering the Palestinian enclave.