Overview
- Season 2 of The Last of Us introduces exciting new characters including Abby, Dina, and Gail, with Gail portrayed by Catherine O’Hara.
- Isabela Merced, the actress playing Dina, immersed herself in her role by completing The Last of Us Part 2 game ahead of filming.
- The relationship dynamic between Dina and Joel is set to evolve, showcasing a deeper connection tied closely to Ellie.
As the eagerly awaited Season 2 of The Last of Us is set to premiere next month on HBO, fans can look forward to the introduction of several engaging new characters. The upcoming season features Abby Anderson, Dina, and Gail, with Gail being played by the talented Catherine O’Hara, known for her role in Schitt’s Creek. In this season, Gail will be unveiled as a therapist residing in Jackson and closely tied to Eugene, another new character. While the narrative will still draw heavily from the story arcs of Naughty Dog’s video game sequel, there will be notable shifts in character interactions, particularly spotlighting the relationship between Joel and Dina.
Isabela Merced, renowned for her performances in Alien: Romulus and Dora and the Lost City of Gold, takes on the role of Dina in Season 2. To prepare for her character, instead of simply watching playthroughs of The Last of Us Part 2 as suggested by showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, Merced immersed herself by playing through the game herself. She completed it in just a weekend before diving into her script. With the season’s release just weeks away, fans can anticipate an exploration of the dynamics between Dina and Ellie as well as Dina’s evolving relationship with Joel.
Isabela Merced Discusses Dina’s Evolving Relationship with Joel
In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Isabela Merced elaborated on how the connection between her character, Dina, and Joel is portrayed in a more profound manner compared to the interactions in The Last of Us Part 2. Unlike the game, where Dina and Joel barely interacted except in minimal scenes, the show emphasizes a richer bond due to Dina’s close relationship with Ellie.
Merced shared that there has been creative freedom taken with their interactions this season, as Neil Druckmann aimed to flesh them out. She described their connection in Season 2 as “warm”and “light-hearted,”referring to Joel as “the fun uncle.”This camaraderie allows them to confide in one another while both of them share a deep care for Ellie. As the story unfolds, Dina becomes not only Ellie’s best friend but also her romantic partner, which intensifies the bond they all share.
Merced noted, “There’s a lot of creative liberties they took, with Neil’s agreement, because they wanted everything to be more well-rounded. If she is Ellie’s best friend, they naturally would have interacted more. This season offers a glimpse into how their relationship develops, highlighting a warm connection where she feels comfortable confiding in him, and vice versa. The prevailing theme that binds them is their mutual love for Ellie, which Dina notices creates a rift she aims to mend.”
In the trailers for The Last of Us Season 2, we observe a significant transformation in Ellie, who has shifted from her innocent, carefree self to a darker, revenge-driven character. As the series progresses, it will be fascinating to see if Dina and Ellie’s relationship mirrors the eventual estrangement from the game, and how Dina’s reliance on Joel grows due to Ellie’s tumultuous journey.
The highly anticipated Season 2 of The Last of Us is set to debut on HBO on April 13, 2025.
Source: ScreenRant