In The Last of Us season two, Dina – played by Isabela Merced – is quick to make an impression.
Becoming an important part of Ellie’s life and story, Dina is a patroller for the Jackson community of survivors. She is also fiercely loyal to Ellie, helping her with her own mission as the season progresses.
Ahead of season two’s launch, Isabela Merced talks about Dina’s journey, how she landed the role, the physical demands of the series, and working alongside Bella Ramsey.
What was your familiarity with the game before you joined The Last of Us season 2?
I hadn’t played it before, but when I got a call to meet about season two, I decided to play the second game. That was the best way to get immersed in that world, honestly.
I really felt everything— the story, the gravity of it. The way it's designed is really immersive. So that’s how I got familiar.
How did you get cast in the show?
I got an ominous request to have a meeting with Craig and Neil. (Laughs) I didn’t know which character— I didn’t want to assume— so I didn't go in with high hopes; just went in as myself and had a nice little meeting.
I know it was set up by Mary Vernue, who's one of my favourite casting directors. She gave me a career, basically. She is always advocating for me and I guess she advocated to these guys, and it went really well.
It was just a meeting. Nothing really was said… but things were said! (Laughs) They asked me how I would feel about being a part of it, and I was like, ‘My God.’ So often these meetings happen where people will hype you up and get you excited, but then never follow through. Or they want you to audition seven times.
Which roles of yours had they seen that sparked an interest in you?
I remember Craig mentioning the Sicario sequel. I then got a call maybe like a week after the meeting and it was like, ‘They want you to be in it.’ I was like, ‘You're kidding!’
I'm always working so hard for things that I want and not getting them, but when I'm just breathing and existing, the best opportunities come to me. It's really interesting how life works that way.
When and how did you first meet Bella Ramsey?
Bella and I maybe had one brunch with Craig before we started, then we got into pre-production and I went to Vancouver. We didn't really rehearse much either. We just kind of went into it. That was just the way it was from day one.
I feel like it's either there or it isn't, you know, when it comes to chemistry. I don't think you can really fake it! I think Craig needs to be a matchmaker now, like, ‘I need to find me somebody!’ (Laughs). I think he has good people instincts, and that's the best kind of instincts you can have.
Your role this season is very physically demanding. How heavily did you train to prepare?
As much as possible! I knew I'd be running a lot. I was like, ‘Hey guys, can I get a trainer?’ I did a mix of cardio and strength-training. I got really into it.
Dina's got some other things going on health-wise in the show. But she’s still used to going on patrol and killing the infected. She’s definitely a fit girl and doing it all in skinny jeans!
How much of what we see in Dina in the show this season is a reference to the game and how much is your own creation?
Well, not knowing who the character was that I was going to portray, it was interesting to process Dina and observe her in an unbiased, impartial way.
I got to see what her place was in the world. So I absorbed her in that way and then I reviewed some of the scenes [in the game] for specificity and storyline. I feel like [video-game actor] Shannon Woodward did a great job creating that character and I have to respect the character she made, while also making my own. So I do reference [what she did] but I also don’t. I have to do my own thing because otherwise, we might as well just have AI do it, you know?
In a sense, it’s almost more challenging to have this source material from which to draw.
I've had a lot of experience with that, having played Dora the Explorer. That was a huge one! But I feel like we did something really new and refreshing there, but still respected the source material. So that's maybe why I wasn’t as scared going into this.
I think Craig was probably the first person I've worked with who I feel like really saw me. And same with Bella: I've never had such a safe experience on a set before; as a coworker. I felt really loved. I felt really seen. I felt really appreciated. It was so precious and I really don't know how I could have a better experience. It was such a respectful environment.
If I were to give advice to somebody who was going to work with Craig, I would just say: Know your worth and know your value, because once you see it, he can see it, and he will make it bigger tenfold. He will make sure you're seen for who you are.
How has this experience changed the way you see yourself as a performer?
I've been much pickier, and a little more aware of how capable I am. I’m a little less concerned with my inability to control how I'm perceived and more about trusting my instincts and seeing where that takes me.