Isabela Merced Takes on Iconic Role in The Last of Us Season 2

HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 has found its Dina, and fans are buzzing with excitement over the latest addition to the cast. Isabela Merced, renowned for her roles in blockbuster films like Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Sweet Girl, is set to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved character.

Dina, a free-spirited character whose loyalty to Ellie faces the harsh realities of their world, played a pivotal role in the 2020 video game, The Last of Us Part II. In a surprising move, Westworld’s Shannon Woodward, who voiced Dina in the game, passes the torch to Merced for the television adaptation.

Speculation has been rife among fans since Season 1, with theories circulating that the mysterious “Staring Girl” from Episode 6 might be Dina. While showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann neither confirmed nor denied this theory, the casting of Isabela Merced puts any lingering doubts to rest.

Joining Merced in this star-studded lineup is Kaitlyn Dever, set to play the pivotal role of Abby. Young Emmy nominee Beef Mazino has also been announced for the role of Jesse, Dina’s ex-boyfriend and Ellie’s friend in Jackson.

As anticipation builds, the show’s creators remain tight-lipped about the adaptation of events from The Last of Us Part II, leaving fans eager to discover how the series will unfold. The casting announcements come just days before The Last of Us faces its destiny at the Emmy Awards, where it’s already claimed eight Creative Arts Emmys and is nominated for several prestigious honors, including Drama Series, Lead Actor in a Drama, and Lead Actress in a Drama.

HBO plans to commence filming Season 2 in February, with a projected 2025 premiere. With an ensemble cast and a storyline poised for new twists, The Last of Us Season 2 promises to be a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike.