“The Last of Us” actress Isabela Merced recently spoke candidly about her sexuality, sharing that she identifies within this realm.
LGBTQIA+
The community she describes has experiences very similar to those of her character.
Dina
In this show, a bisexual female character explores love and self-identity within a post-apocalyptic setting. The popular HBO series dives deep into the intricacies of LGBTQ+ relationships without holding anything back. As Dina candidly discusses former romantic encounters and develops an increasingly intimate bond with Ellie, audiences experience storylines that feel authentic and resonant.
Merced also conveyed a deep emotional bond with Dina, noting that the character mirrors aspects of her personal story. “I believe every young LGBTQ individual should have the space to feel uncertain and inquisitive as they navigate their identity,” she shared.
Deadline
. “I think Dina really does have feelings for Ellie, and she’s just really confused about it. I think, for me personally, that was a really relatable experience.”
Currently, Merced is being even more candid about it. She has disclosed that she has always considered herself queer, adding an extra layer of authenticity to her performance as Dina.
Isabela Mercado identifies as queer and she’s proud of it.
Merced spoke openly about her LGBTQ+ experiences in an interview.
Variety
During the interview, they emphasized the importance of LGBTQIA+ visibility in media. “Nobody believes I’m queer, which is okay. It doesn’t bother me much. As an actor, I should be able to portray any character,” she stated. “I often consider folks back home who might not have encountered this aspect of myself before through their screens. They get to truly understand and connect with me as they see more of this on a broader platform.”
Merced mentioned that both she and co-star Bella Ramsey infused elements from their individual lives into shaping the dynamics between Dina and Ellie. She emphasized that during a significant romantic sequence, they worked closely together. According to her, they “included additional kissing scenes not present in the initial script” which made the moment seem more genuine. The emotional complexity and realism portrayed in “The Last of Us” were enhanced through their combined understanding of LGBTQ+ relationships.
Isabela
Merced’s “The Last of Us” character gets entangled in a complicated romantic relationship with another person of the same gender.
In Season 2 of “The Last of Us,” Dina and Ellie shift from close friends to full-on lovers. Unlike the video game, where they’re already together in Jackson, the HBO series lets us watch their relationship blossom from the beginning. But the vibe takes a sharp turn when Dina drops a bomb — she’s pregnant. The reveal forces Ellie to confront her feelings while also carrying the burden of being immune to the infection.
Ramsey, who plays Ellie, called her on-screen lover “brilliant” and gushed over Merced’s addition to the hit show. “She’s so brilliant, and I’m really excited for people to see how wonderful she is and how much light and energy and humor she brings to this season,” Ramsey told IndieWire. “She really just had this unwavering energy about her the whole time, which was really great for being on set. When I was like an old tired grandpa, she’d be like this little sprite that would come in and just make everybody party.”
Can you relate to Dina’s baby gay confusion? What moments from her relationship with Ellie hit home for you the most?
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Isabela Merced says she has always identified as queer—but nobody believed her.
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