Isabela Merced named Dina in The Last of Us series

The Last of Us series, based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, has announced Isabela Merced as the actress set to play the character Dina. Fans of the series will recognize Dina from The Last of Us: Part 2, and as the upcoming second season of the HBO adaptation will include elements from the game, Merced's casting aligns with the continuity of the story. Renowned for her roles in Nickelodeon's 100 Things to Do Before High School and movies like Sicario: Day of the Soldado and Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Isabela Merced embodies the character of Dina, who is described as "warm, brilliant, funny, moral, dangerous and lovable." Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann express their excitement for her addition to the cast.

Production for the acclaimed series' second season is expected to begin in early 2023, with its release scheduled for 2025. Following its eight Emmy wins, the show is a strong contender for more awards, despite not securing Golden Globes. Nick Offerman, who portrays Bill in the series, has hinted at a potential prequel focused on Bill and Frank. Whether this pitch to HBO will take off remains to be seen.

Isabela Merced is set to portray the character Dina, who is a pivotal character introduced in The Last of Us: Part 2.

The Last of Us is a narrative-driven action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Originally released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, it quickly gained critical acclaim for its story, character development, visual artistry, and emotional depth. Its sequel, The Last of Us Part II, continued the story with new characters, including Dina, in 2020. The series has a strong following, resulting in the successful transition to a television adaptation by HBO, which has further solidified The Last of Us' position as a significant cultural phenomenon in both gaming and television.