'It was controversial internally too' — Former Naughty Dog dev says the studio was 'split' on The Last of Us Part 2's most divisive death

It wasn't just fans who were torn on the decision

by · TechRadar

News By Demi Williams published 28 April 2026

(Image credit: Sony/Naughty Dog)

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  • Former Naughty Dog artist Heather Cerlan revealed that the controversial death in The Last of Us Part 2 was divisive internally
  • Cerlan says the studio was "split" on the decision
  • The death was hugely controversial among fans back in 2020

Disclaimer

Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Part 2

A former Naughty Dog developer has revealed that the controversial death in The Last of Us Part 2 was also a divisive element within the studio.

If you've played The Last of Us sequel, you'll know that Joel Miller, the protagonist of the first game, is brutally killed by Abby Anderson in an act of revenge at the beginning of the story.

At the time of the game's release in 2020, Joel's death caused a huge uproar among fans, with many hating the decision. Others praised the bold move for subverting expectations and delivering one hell of an emotional journey for Ellie.

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Now, in a lengthy interview with Kiwi Talkz, Heather Cerlan, who worked as an artist on The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part 2, Uncharted 4, and The Lost Legacy, confirmed that the death was just as controversial at Naughty Dog as it was among fans.

"Oh yeah, most of the studio was like, 'really you're going to?...'", Cerlan said, before trailing off to avoid spoilers.

#207 - Heather Cerlan Interview On Naughty Dog, Bethesda, Last Of Us, Hawthorn, Creation Engine - YouTube

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"I think the studio was pretty split on like, the outcome of what happens," she continued. "Yes, absolutely. It was controversial internally, too."

Joel's death also leaked ahead of the game's official release, which led to online abuse and death threats being sent to Abby's actress, Laura Bailey, and her new-born son.

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