Isabela Merced Joins HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 as Dina

The highly anticipated second season of “The Last of Us,” featuring the talents of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, has officially premiered on HBO and Max. Among the new faces in this gripping adaptation of the acclaimed video game series is Isabela Merced, portraying the character Dina—a significant figure in Ellie’s storyline.

Overview of “The Last of Us”

Based on the popular video game developed by Naughty Dog, “The Last of Us” chronicles the harrowing adventures in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by a fungal infection that transforms individuals into zombie-like entities. The narrative centers around Joel (Pascal), a smuggler with a troubled history, who is tasked with escorting Ellie (Ramsey), a young girl who harbors the potential to end the pandemic due to her immunity, out of a quarantined zone in America.

The logline for Season 2 describes the story as evolving five years after the initial season, with Joel and Ellie facing a more treacherous and unpredictable environment that tests their bond and survival instincts.

Introducing Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced, born Isabela Moner in 2001, has an extensive career that began in 2013 with her role in the independent film “The House that Jack Built.” She gained recognition in 2014 with a recurring part on NBC’s “Growing Up Fisher” and starred in the Nickelodeon series “100 Things To Do Before High School” until 2017. Additionally, she voiced Kate in “Dora and Friends: Into the City!,” which served as a precursor to her future projects related to the “Dora” franchise.

Merced’s Film Career

Merced’s breakthrough in feature films occurred in 2017 with a supporting role in “Transformers: The Last Knight,” followed by significant performances in “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” and “Instant Family” in 2018. Her illustrious career continued with a selection of notable roles:

• “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” (2019): Merced starred as Dora in this live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series.
• “Let It Snow” (2019): In this Netflix romantic comedy, she played Julie Reyes, a young woman whose Christmas Eve takes an unexpected turn.
• “Sweet Girl” (2021): Merced appeared alongside Jason Momoa, portraying Rachel Cooper, who seeks justice following her mother’s untimely death.
• “Father of the Bride” (2022): In this HBO Max adaptation, Merced played Cora, the sister of the bride-to-be.
• “Madame Web” (2024): Merced will feature as Anya Corazón, one of three young women safeguarded by a clairvoyant in Sony’s upcoming project.
• “Alien: Romulus” (2024): In this film, she plays Kay, a miner who confronts the notorious Xenomorphs aboard a space outpost.

Upcoming Projects

Isabela Merced’s upcoming projects continue to expand her range and visibility in the industry. Notably, she will portray Kendra Saunders, also known as Hawkgirl, in director James Gunn’s new iteration of Superman, which is set to feature a dynamic cast, including David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

Conclusion

With the premiere of “The Last of Us” Season 2, which showcases Merced’s character Dina as a vital connection in Ellie’s journey, viewers can look forward to a compelling continuation of the series. New episodes will be released weekly every Sunday, with the series drawing significant attention from fans around the world.

For further updates and information, you can follow the series on HBO and stream it on Max.