Dina’s Gay Romance in The Last of Us Season 2: Star Can’t Wait for Homophobic Backlash

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Summary

  • Dina’s backstory expands in The Last of Us Season 2 to delve into her Jewish faith and past struggles.
  • Actress Isabela Merced isn’t worried about homophobic backlash toward Dina and Ellie’s relationship.
  • Merced reveals that Dina’s connection with Joel will be more meaningful in the upcoming season.

As the countdown continues towards the release of The Last of Us Season 2, Isabela Merced, portraying Dina, discusses how HBO broadens Dina’s past from the original game. She also mentions that she’s anticipating the potential homophobic remarks about her relationship with Ellie that may surface in the coming days.

In the upcoming second season of “The Last of Us,” actress and singer Isabela Merced takes on the role of Dina, who has previously appeared in films such as “Alien: Romulus” and “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” The HBO series faced criticism for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships during season one’s ‘Long, Long Time’ episode, with some viewers even resorting to review-bombing on IMDb due to perceived “political propaganda.” However, Isabela Merced remains unfazed by these concerns and is not worried about facing backlash for her portrayal of Dina and her relationship with Ellie.

The Last of Us Season 2’s Star Isn’t Worried about Homophobia Comments regarding Dina

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress discussing her character Dina in The Last of Us Season 2 shares some insights. While Dina’s past was hinted at in The Last of Us Part 2, it wasn’t thoroughly explored. Players learned that Dina was orphaned young, and her older sister took care of her, attending a synagogue together to pray. This practice continued with Dina even after her sister’s death. Merced hints that we can expect more insights into Dina’s backstory in Season 2, calling it “devastating” yet “inspiring”. She adds that viewers will get to delve deeper into Dina’s story this time around.

Merced hinted that fans of the sequel may encounter a similar heartwarming and profound conversation about faith in a synagogue, reinterpreted in some way. While she can’t reveal specific details from the upcoming season, Merced did suggest that there would be a reprise of sorts. “What I will say is, I truly valued that scene in the game because it showed so much depth and made her character multi-faceted, vulnerable, and complex. I believe the creators, Neil and Craig, will delve deeper into this aspect. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose the details.

In reference to Dina and Ellie’s romantic storyline in Season 2, Merced seems puzzled about the fuss and why some viewers might express homophobic views. “I’m actually anticipating the reaction,” Merced remarks. “I can’t quite put it into words. I’m not afraid because homosexuality has been around since the dawn of civilization. The point is, if there are gay characters, there’s a whole world too. If they have your backing, you’re good to go.

The game was created ages ago, yet the existence of gay individuals predates it significantly. I find myself puzzled about the controversy surrounding it. I can’t quite grasp what message we’re trying to convey or criticize. Moreover, the narrative is simply captivating. If a work fails to resonate, it’s likely due to its quality, not the themes it explores. With skillful hands and thoughtful execution, any theme can be treated with respect. In my view, this story concludes tragically, but I consider it a triumph for the sapphic characters. To me, it’s a successful representation of a same-sex relationship. I’m genuinely thrilled about sharing this beautiful portrayal with others.

More recently, Merced explained that Dina’s bond with Joel in Season 2 is deeper compared to their relationship in the game ‘The Last of Us Part 2’. In the game, there are only limited interactions between Joel and Dina, despite their shared presence, such as in the barn dance scene at Jackson where Ellie and Dina share a romantic moment. However, Merced also notes that Dina and Joel likely had more conversations than what was depicted due to the closeness between Dina and Ellie.

The Last of Us Season 2 makes its premiere on HBO on April 13, 2025.

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2025-04-11 18:19