The Last of Us Season 2 Star Isabela Merced Says It Will Be ‘Really Hard’ to Hate Bella Ramsey’s Ellie After Intimate Scene

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As The Last of Us Season 2 progresses, one of its heartwarming story arcs revolves around the blossoming romance between Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced). In Episode 4, titled “Day One”, their relationship experiences a significant milestone through an intimately moving scene that underscores the emotional intensity of their connection. In an interview with Variety, Merced discusses how the show’s detailed writing, her partnership with Ramsey, and the series’ dedication to portraying queer authenticity all contributed to her acting performance.

Before her audition, Isabela Merced was familiar with The Last of Us Part II, but she didn’t foresee securing such a crucial part. Once Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann chose her for the role of Dina—Ellie’s romantic interest and emotional support—Merced soon understood that she had stepped into something more substantial than anticipated. “I didn’t expect it to be this significant a role,” she acknowledges. However, as filming progressed, she recognized how Dina provides a balance to Ellie’s escalating sorrow and anger.

As a devoted follower, I’d put it this way: In the TV adaptation, I found Dina to be a blank canvas – an opportunity to portray Ellie’s transformation into vengeance while maintaining her vulnerability. The connection between me and Ramsey needed to feel authentic and spontaneous, despite our limited time together due to conflicting projects. Yet, from our very first scene where Dina playfully teased Ellie about her shoes, it seemed like everything just fell into place.

The tension between the couple gradually builds until the fourth episode, where Ellie and Dina openly express their feelings and engage in a romantic scene, which Merced collaborated meticulously with the show’s intimacy advisor to ensure it appeared genuine rather than staged. She highlights that this pivotal moment successfully combined elements of romance, vulnerability, and authentic queer representation.

The episode not only showcases the deep bond between Dina and Ellie, but also vividly portrays the harsh truths of life in the post-apocalyptic setting. Throughout the storyline, they are pursued by a ruthless pack known as Wolves, narrowly escaping death during a harrowing sequence set in a subway tunnel. Merced, who directed this intense and demanding scene, describes it as both physically exhausting and emotionally draining. To cope with the unpleasant smells from prop manure and the danger of infected passengers on shaky subway cars, Merced and Ramsey developed a secret sign language system to communicate their comfort and safety limits over the course of the seven-day shoot.

For Merced, the most impactful moment came when Ellie gave an intense rendition of “Take On Me,” a scene inspired by the video game. “Music has a profound effect on my emotions,” she confides. “That performance wasn’t just Dina falling more in love — she was also mourning for Joel.

In contrast to its themes of violence and sorrow, Merced emphasizes that the tender, romantic scenes are likely to linger with viewers. “Love can be frightening,” she admits. “That’s what I aimed to portray in Dina—even beneath her tough exterior, she harbors fear as well.

For Merced, embodying a queer character in a key queer relationship is both personally significant and carries political weight. She openly admits that some people doubt her sexuality, making this role particularly meaningful for her. In The Last of Us Season 2, Ellie and Dina’s love story takes center stage. Merced aspires for viewers to perceive their tale not just as a symbol of representation, but as a relatable depiction of grief, healing, and the redeeming power of love—even amidst the apocalypse.

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2025-05-05 11:29