HBO's The Last of Us season 3 is not expected to begin filming until 2026, with a release date estimated for 2027. That is to say, it's still a long way off; however, star Isabela Merced (Dina) is very excited to continue her character's journey.
Merced recently shared her joy at returning to playing a character who's becoming an unstoppable force. A mother-to-be out in the brutal post-apocalyptic landscape, Dina is not a character to be messed with. It's no longer about herself; it's also about her child. She's got a bigger goal this time around, which gives her more purpose and drive. “A woman with a plan is so unstoppable,” Merced told TVLine.
After finding a partner in Ellie, Dina has found a purpose and goal in her life. "Dina was not clear on what she wanted," she said. "Humans without a want or a need are directionless and it can leave a hole in our hearts. Ellie allowed Dina to see her future clearly, and when she got a hold of that, it gave Dina this fervour and drive."
Isabela Merced's most emotional scene to film
Dina was an instant standout character in season 2. After the death of Joel, and Ellie's steadfast quest to seek revenge, Dina is there for her at every turn. It isn't long before they strike up a deep and intimate relationship. For Merced, the most poignant and emotional moment of the season came in the music shop. "It was the music shop scene where Ellie's singing to me," she told GQ Magazine.
" [In the show], it's like, I'm fully embracing not only the love I have for her, but also I'm feeling the love that she has for Joel," she continued. "And that's why it's so emotional. It's a moment of beautiful grief, happy grief, that is so delicate and fragile, and expressed so beautifully through music, and music is such a big component of the game. That song will never be the same. I will never hear it and not think of [Dina and Ellie]."
It sounds like the show's musical elements really strike a chord with Merced. "That scene was so beautiful and magical, and it reminded me of when we shot the New Year's scene at the dance; again, another very musical sequence, I guess music just does that to me, and everyone. But it was hard for [me] not to cry," she added.
The scene was as striking in the TV show as it was in the game, capturing the same gut-wrenching emotions. The Last of Us season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max. Season 3 is not expected to air until 2027.