‘Last of Us’ Star Isabela Merced Thinks Dina “Doesn’t Even Know the Word ‘Bisexual’”

I may in point of fact see the affection in Dina’s eyes previous within the episode, right through Ellie’s efficiency of “Take On Me.” What had been you aiming to put across there?

I didn’t need it to be so emotional. I used to be if truth be told looking to hang again. But it used to be only a in point of fact gorgeous second. That set used to be surprising, the greenery, the vegetation peeking via. And Bella’s voice simply being angelic and natural, and likewise it being a second of satisfied grieving. And then, on most sensible of that, Dina is in denial of the placement. I began crying. I believe which may be up for interpretation, as a result of I performed it more than a few techniques, and I don’t if truth be told know which one they selected. But there used to be a model the place I used to be unhappy on account of Joel, and figuring out that the rationale I like Joel is as a result of I like Ellie, and the rationale I like Ellie is as a result of I like Joel. And then there used to be some other model the place perhaps it’s simply Dina being scared—like, Oh shit, I’m in love with this individual. And she is aware of she’s pregnant by means of then, so it’s terrifying and complicates the whole thing.

You discussed Dina being bisexual, however perhaps no longer even fairly figuring out what that implies. I were given a snicker out of Dina and Ellie no longer figuring out the rainbows. But then I began considering—those two have grown up fully in a zombie apocalypse, in order that they almost definitely don’t know queer tradition. Was that one thing that you considered on your method to the nature and this dating?

Yeah, completely. I believe it contributed to her confusion about sexuality and what it may well be. They don’t know what pleasure is, what the LGBTQ group is. Dina doesn’t even know the phrase bisexual. Think about an international with out all that. It makes it roughly unhappy, since you marvel what they’re lacking out on—and the preciousness of the inclusion they may really feel. And perhaps a way to them feeling like outcasts, the place Dina is conforming and Ellie is accepting that she’s no longer like the opposite citizens of Jackson.

Ahead of the season, you had been quoted as promising that “the gays are going to be fed.” So I’ve to invite: Is this what we had been speaking about? Is the feeding entire, or is the feeding simply getting began?

[Laughs] I think like this used to be the appetizer. I will be able to’t consider I mentioned that. I will be able to’t consider I’ve ever been interviewed professionally.

If that is the appetizer, what’s to come back for those lovebirds?

Much more backstory. And they’re nonetheless protecting secrets and techniques from every different, so now that they’re this a lot more at ease, it’ll be interesting for them to if truth be told disclose their playing cards and evolve as characters in combination. And perhaps another characters coming again and complicating issues.

It’s nonetheless early, however what’s been the enjoy to this point entering into this universe and its insanely passionate fan base?

I don’t suppose I’ve ever observed anyone do a drag display primarily based off of the IP that I used to be part of. There’s an entire drag group for The Last of Us; it’s were given a large homosexual fan base. And everyone simply needs me to get them a “hi” from Pedro. “Oh, Pedro, he is so hot. Have him say ‘hi’ to me.” And I’m like, “Dude, that’s my coworker, but okay.”

You’re on a in point of fact great run right here, between remaining summer time’s Alien: Romulus, The Last of Us, and your upcoming debut as Hawkgirl in Superman. Have you been in a position to experience it, or are you too busy to try this?

It appears like I’m on a teach, and with every undertaking, the teach’s going quicker. So when the teach’s going roughly gradual, it’s more uncomplicated to leap off, but if it is going in point of fact rapid, you’d almost definitely bounce off and die. That used to be roughly dramatic. But in truth, that’s roughly the way in which I’m having a look at it.

You simply don’t need the teach to ever forestall.

If it absolutely stops, that’s in point of fact unhealthy whiplash.