HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation of the popular post-apocalyptic game The Last of Us is set to return for its much-anticipated second season, and it brings with it exciting new developments. In a casting decision that has thrilled the hard-to-please fans of the series, Isabela Merced has been announced to take on the role of Dina, one of the game’s pivotal characters.
Merced’s previous roles have shown she’s got a lot of talent and versatility, so her taking on Dina’s character should be interesting at the very least. The 22-year-old actress is known for her roles in Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and the Netflix film Sweet Girl.
She’s also set to appear in Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus and DC’s upcoming superhero film, Superman: Legacy, playing Hawkgirl. Without a doubt, she’s quickly becoming one of the most sought-after Hollywood actresses.
Going back to The Last of Us, Dina is a rather complex character that brings a whole new layer of emotion and depth to the story. Introduced as a close friend and romantic interest of protagonist Ellie, Dina is characterized by her strong-willed and resilient nature, which helps the duo survive the harsh dystopian world.
Back in Season 1, fans speculated that Dina had made an appearance. In Episode 6: “Kin,” Joel and Ellie arrive in Jackson, Wyoming, where they meet Joel’s brother, Tommy, and his wife, Maria, living in a thriving, peaceful community.
With plenty of food there – more than they’d ever seen while traveling – Ellie engorges herself with her meal, attracting the attention of a curious girl. Though Ellie scares her off, the encounter leaves fans speculating that the actress might have been Dina.
However, this turns out to be a false assumption since the girl in question, who’s credited simply as “staring girl,” is portrayed by actress Paolina van Kleef. Maybe she was initially supposed to be cast as Dina, but the producers decided to recast the role afterwards?
We might never know. Either way, Merced has the potential to live up to fan expectations, and as far as casting goes, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have been doing a pretty impressive job.
Filming is expected to kick off next month in Canada, where newcomers Young Mazino, who plays Jesse, and Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays Abby, will join Merced on set. There are still several characters that are yet to be cast, including Yara, Lev, and Owen, but we will keep you updated as more information is revealed.
The Last of Us Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in 2025.
