After Pedro Pascal's Exit, Isabela Merced Was The Key To The Last Of Us Season 2

The Last of Us season 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 of The Last of Us season 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 in The Last of Us Part II that 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 Us will never be able to properly replace Pedro Pascal's Joel. However, in just a handful of episodes, Merced helped prove why The Last of Us was still worth watching. While much of the focus will stay on Ellie and Abby in The 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 on The 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 newcomer Abby 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.

There were several reasons why The Last of Us was 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 derailed The Last of Us season 2, but that wasn't the case at all.

There's no question that Merced turned into a highlight in The Last of Us season 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

Though The Last of Us has stayed true to the games' key story points thus far, the show has made some notable changes, big and small. One of the major game changes in The Last of Us season 2's premiere came with Dina and Joel's dynamic. Not only did they share a scene together, but it 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 throughout The Last of Us season 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

Like The Last of Us Part II game, 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 areas to make the character even more likable.

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 from Dina'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 give The Last of Us a 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 character bravely taking down infected and using unique skills to outsmart threats, especially since she's not immune like Ellie. Hopefully, that continues in The Last of Us season 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 at The Last of Us season 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 Us will 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 in The Last of Us season 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 in The Last of Us season 2's finale, but the exact fates of Ellie, Dina, and Tommy will remain. That said, Merced has confirmed in an interview (via Variety) 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.