Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2 finale & The Last of Us Part II game!The Last of Usseason 2’s cast list took a massive hit with the loss of Pedro Pascal’s Joel, but thankfully, they found a gem in Isabela Merced. The actress played Dina, one ofThe Last of Usseason 2’s core characters, who many were already familiar with due to her prominence in 2020’s sequel game. As promised, season 2 included a moment inThe Last of Us Part IIthat many had been dreading: the death of Joel. The death, of course, had a massive impact on the other characters, including Dina.
Although the death of Joel was difficult to accept, especially for Pedro Pascal fans, it also helped pave the way for Merced’s Dina to get more time in the spotlight.The Last of Uswill never be able to properly replacePedro Pascal’s Joel. However, in just a handful of episodes, Merced helped prove whyThe Last of Uswas still worth watching. While much of the focus will stay onEllie and Abby inThe Last of Us, it was Dina’s shared story with Ellie that kept season 2 afloat amid Joel’s absence.
Isabela Merced Was The “Make Or Break” Casting For The Last Of Us Season 2
The Stakes Were High When It Came To Casting HBO’s Version Of Dina
Like the game franchise, Joel and Ellie quickly became the faces of HBO’s live-action take onThe Last of Us. There were plenty of intriguing side characters and guest stars, but in the end, it was Joel and Ellie’s story. That notion changed fast in season 2 when newcomerAbby killed Joel, leaving a void left by Pedro Pascal’s exit. Though Kaitlyn Dever’s casting as Abby garnered a lot of attention,Isabela Merced’s portrayal as Dina ended up elevating Ellie’s Joel-less journey.
Dina’s live-action counterpart had undeniable chemistry with Ramsey’s Ellie, giving the show a suitable pairing for Ellie’s next chapter without Joel.
There were several reasons whyThe Last of Uswas still worth watching despite Joel’s tragic death, but Merced’s Dina stood out as one of the most convincing aspects. From her first on-screen appearance alongside Joel, Merced presented a charming presence that is often lost on characters in post-apocalyptic settings. What’s more, Dina’s live-action counterpart had undeniable chemistry with Ramsey’s Ellie, giving the show a suitable pairing for Ellie’s next chapter without Joel. Getting that Dina casting wrong could have quickly derailedThe Last of Usseason 2, but that wasn’t the case at all.
There’s no question that Merced turned into a highlight inThe Last of Usseason 2, and a lot of that had to do with making tweaks to Dina’s characterization. The show allowed Dina to embrace Ellie’s goofier side by giving them the same sense of humor. That approach resulted in some more light-hearted moments between the two, even when they were often facing dark situations together. Granted, as the series made it evident that Ellie was falling deeper in love with Dina, Merced was also emerging as a fan-favorite for her scene-stealing ability.
How Dina Became The Most Intriguing Character In The Last Of Us Season 2 After Joel’s Death
Dina’s Connection To Joel & Ellie Made The Character More Interesting
ThoughThe Last of Ushas stayed true to the games' key story points thus far, the show has made some notable changes, big and small. One of themajor game changes inThe Last of Usseason 2’s premierecame with Dina and Joel’s dynamic. Not only did they share a scene together, butit was clear that Dina and Joel shared a special bond in the show.Their relationship added another layer to Joel’s murder in the next episode, especially since Dina was with Joel when he ran into Abby, leading to his murder.
Dina’s personal response to the tragedy and willingness to help Ellie seek revenge added more intrigue to Merced’s character portrayal. That remained true throughoutThe Last of Usseason 2 as Dina accompanied Ellie on the trip to Seattle, allowing their friendship to blossom into a full-blown romance. The relationship between Ellie and Dina was a slower-burn than in the game, at least at first, but even then, she was still presented as more than just a side character to Ellie’s story; she evolved into a worthwhile primary figure.
Why Isabela Merced’s Portrayal As Dina Improved The Last Of Us Game Character
The Actress Gave Fans More Of A Reason To Root For Dina
LikeThe Last of Us Part IIgame, Dina instantly became a crucial character in Ellie’s life at a time when she needed support the most. Being able to lean on Dina strengthened their bond and eventually allowed them to reveal their true feelings for each other in the show. In many ways, however,Isabela Merced took the foundational aspects of Dina and improved certain areasto make the character even more likable.
Being able to give Dina more agency in ways that aren’t completely tied to Ellie’s journey will continue to give The Last of Us a chance to enhance the character.
The compassion was still there, like Dina’s game characterization, but there seemed to be more emotional weight given to Merced’s version. This could stem from the live-action adaptation, though there was more focus given to Dina’s own struggles. Aside fromDina’s pregnancy reveal, the character’s sexuality became more of a topic of discussion. In fact, her mother’s disapproving reaction to Dina liking “boys and girls” tied into her expanded backstory, adding more complexity to the character’s arc.
Being able to give Dina more agency in ways that aren’t completely tied to Ellie’s journey will continue to giveThe Last of Usa chance to enhance the character. She’s vital to Ellie’s story, but she has also continuously proven to be independent and capable of surviving. In some ways,Merced’s portrayal of Dina has eclipsed Ellie as the young badass characterbravely taking down infected and using unique skills to outsmart threats, especially since she’s not immune like Ellie. Hopefully, that continues inThe Last of Usseason 3, even if Dina becomes a mother.
Will Isabela Merced’s Dina Be In The Last Of Us Season 3?
Dina Still Has A Future In HBO’s The Last Of Us
As of now, all signs are pointing to season 3 being Abby’s side of the story. Based on Abby’s “Day One” tease atThe Last of Usseason 2’s ending, and the narrative of the sequel game, the upcoming installment is set to predominantly focus on Dever’s character. After following Ellie and Dina’s three days in Seattle,The Last of Uswill switch to Abby’s POV during that same period. While that indicates smaller roles for Ellie and Dina,Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced are still expected to appear inThe Last of Usseason 3.
No matter how long Abby’s side of the story lasts in season 3, the show will need to get back to the confrontation in the theater, shedding light on what happens to the remaining characters. Abby shot and killed Jesse inThe Last of Usseason 2’s finale, but the exact fates of Ellie, Dina, and Tommy will remain. That said, Merced has confirmed in an interview (viaVariety) that she expects filming to occur “next year,” so she will be involved in season 3; the role just might not be as prominent as her debut season.
