Season 2 of HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ has not only upped the stakes in terms of action and emotional trauma but has also brought forward a deeply moving queer love story between Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced).
With just four episodes aired so far, the relationship between these two characters has quickly become one of the most talked-about aspects of the series. Additionally, according to Isabela, their on and off-screen relationships aren’t that different.
Isabella Merced Says Her And Bella Ramsey’s Real-Life Queer Experiences Made Their Romantic Scenes Authentic
In a recent interview with Variety, Isabela Merced opened up about what it meant for her to play Dina in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2. But more importantly, she spoke candidly about her identity as a queer woman and how it played a role in shaping the onscreen intimacy between Dina and Ellie. “There’s a tenderness to it,” Merced explained when describing the scene where Ellie and Dina finally share an intimate moment.
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“Especially with women, once we’re comfortable with each other, it’s like there’s no fear in expressing love.” She and Bella Ramsey, who identifies as nonbinary, found themselves adding extra kisses that weren’t even part of the original script. “We were just so comfortable with each other, it felt right. That day on set was incredibly sweet.” Merced also pointed out how important it was to have experience in queer relationships to portray the chemistry authentically.
“You can just tell when someone hasn’t kissed a girl before,” she said, adding that both she and Ramsey shared that unspoken understanding and comfort that helped elevate the scene. Despite being open about her sexuality now, Merced noted that people often don’t perceive her as queer. “No one actually thinks I’m queer, which is fine. I don’t really care,” she stated. “But playing a character that means so much to the LGBTQ+ community? That’s grand.”
Dina And Ellie’s Journey In ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2
While the first season of ‘The Last of Us’ focused on Joel and Ellie’s bond, Season 2 dives deeper into the complexity of Ellie’s relationships, particularly with Dina. Episode 4, titled “Day One,” is a turning point. After days of tension and subtle glances, Ellie and Dina finally confess their love and become a couple. The episode takes place largely in Seattle, where the two arrive on a mission to find Abby, Joel’s murderer.
In case you missed it: How Joel’s Tragic Fate In ‘The Last Of Us’ Episode 2 Compares To The Game Version
As they sneak into the WLF compound under the cover of night, they stumble upon numerous dead soldiers from the militant group hanging. In the chaos that follows, the duo is discovered by surviving WLF members and forced to flee. However, they end up trapped in a tunnel swarmed by clickers. When one of them lunges at Dina, Ellie intervenes and is bitten, seemingly sacrificing herself.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Dina points a gun at Ellie, believing her to be infected. That’s when Ellie reveals her immunity to the Cordyceps fungus, something only a handful of people know. But the surprises don’t stop there. As the emotional tension peaks, Dina reveals her own secret: she’s pregnant. Both stunned and vulnerable, the two girls drop their defenses. What follows is a moment of intimacy, not just physical but emotional, as they finally allow themselves to feel love.
‘The Last of Us’ is no stranger to exploring queer narratives. From Bill and Frank’s unforgettable story in Season 1 to Ellie and Riley’s flashback in the Left Behind episode, the show has consistently treated LGBTQ+ relationships with care, realism, and emotional depth. Now, Dina and Ellie’s romance continues this tradition.
