Dina the Last of Us: Character Guide, Actress & Relationship

When you meet Dina in The Last of Us Part II, she feels like a breath of fresh air in a world that’s mostly grit and cordyceps. She’s the one who makes Ellie laugh, who grounds her, and who eventually holds the biggest piece of her heart.

First appearance: The Last of Us Part II (2020) ·
HBO portrayal: Isabela Merced ·
Relationship to Ellie: Partner ·
Child: JJ ·
Age in Part II: 19–20 ·
Last name: Not revealed

Key facts about Dina

Eight details define her arc, from first appearance to her status after the game:

The pattern: Dina’s identity is built on relationships—with Ellie, with Jesse, with Jackson—not on a surname or a standalone title.

Who Is Dina in The Last of Us?

What is Dina’s background?

• Dina was orphaned at a young age and raised by her older sister, Talia, according to The Last of Us Wiki (fan-maintained database).
• She moved to Jackson, Wyoming, and joined that community before the events of Part II (The Last of Us Wiki)
• She is described as a free-spirited survivor and love interest to Ellie (Carbon Costume).

How old is Dina?

• Her age is around 19–20 in Part II (The Last of Us Wiki).
• By comparison, Ellie is 19 in the second season of the HBO series (Wikipedia).

What is Dina’s last name?

• Her last name is not revealed in the game, leaving fans to refer to her only as Dina (The Last of Us Wiki).

Why this matters: The lack of a surname reinforces Dina’s role as an every-person survivor—someone defined by action rather than lineage.

Do Ellie and Dina End Up Together?

What is the status of Ellie and Dina’s relationship at the end of Part II?

• Ellie and Dina are in a romantic relationship during Part II (DIRECTV Insider).
• They live together in Jackson and later on a farm raising JJ (The Last of Us Wiki).
• After Ellie leaves for revenge in Santa Barbara, Dina moves out. Ellie returns to an empty house (Wikipedia).

Why does Dina leave the farmhouse?

• Dina cannot accept Ellie’s choice to abandon their family for vengeance. She leaves with JJ, and the farmhouse stands empty when Ellie finally returns (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: Ellie’s trauma-driven quest costs her the home Dina built for them. Dina’s departure is not a rejection of Ellie, but a protective act for their child.

How Did Dina and Ellie Have a Child?

Who is the biological father of Dina’s child?

• Dina became pregnant by Jesse, her previous partner, before fully committing to Ellie (The Last of Us Wiki).
• Jesse is a friend and fellow Jackson resident who supports Dina during the pregnancy (Wikipedia).

What is the child’s name?

• Ellie and Dina name the baby JJ—short for Joel Jr., a tribute to Joel Miller (The Last of Us Wiki).

The implication: JJ is both a symbol of hope and a living reminder of loss. Naming him after Joel cements the bond between Ellie’s past and her chosen family.

Who’s Playing Dina in The Last of Us?

Isabela Merced as Dina

• Isabela Merced was cast as Dina for HBO Season 2, announced on January 11, 2024 (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
• She is a Peruvian-American actress and singer (Wikipedia).
• Previous roles include Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Spider-Man: Far From Home (Polygon (gaming and culture outlet)).

What are Isabela Merced’s other roles?

• She played Izzy in Instant Family and has a strong background in music, releasing several singles (IMDb (industry-standard film database)).

Is Isabela Merced half white?

• She is of Peruvian, Spanish, and possibly other descent—she identifies as a Latina actress (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Casting a young Latina actress who already balances comedy and action roles signals HBO’s intention to preserve Dina’s warmth and toughness from the game.

Will Ellie Return in The Last of Us Part 3?

Has Part 3 been confirmed?

• Naughty Dog has officially confirmed development of a third game (IGN (gaming industry authority)).
• Neil Druckmann has hinted at a story continuation, though details remain secret (Naughty Dog official blog).

What is the status of the HBO series?

• HBO will adapt Part II across Seasons 2 and 3, ensuring Dina’s story gets full screen time (ELLE (culture and entertainment magazine)).
• Casting for Season 2 is underway, with Isabela Merced confirmed as Dina (Polygon).

Why this matters: Dina’s fate beyond Part II is uncertain, but the HBO adaptation guarantees her story will reach millions of new viewers—and may shape the narrative of future games.

Dina’s Timeline in the Franchise

Dina’s journey spans key moments in the franchise timeline.

The pattern: Dina’s arc moves from survivor to partner to mother to solo parent—each transition tied to Ellie’s choices, not her own.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear About Dina

The balance between known and unknown reflects the character’s enigmatic nature.

Perspectives from the Creators and Cast

“The relationship between Ellie and Dina was written as the emotional core of the story. You need that warmth to understand what Ellie risks when she leaves.”

— Neil Druckmann, co-director of The Last of Us Part II (via Naughty Dog official blog)

“Dina is someone who brings light into Ellie’s life, even in the darkest moments. That duality is what drew me to the role.”

— Isabela Merced, speaking to ELLE magazine
Isabela Merced, speaking to ELLE magazine, shared that Dina is someone who brings light into Ellie’s life, even in the darkest moments, a duality that drew her to the role, and you can learn more about Iain Armitage’s net worth at Iain Armitage’s net worth.

“The farmhouse sequence, where Ellie and Dina try to live a normal life, is some of the most tender writing in the game. It’s also the setup for the biggest heartbreak.”

— Halley Gross, co-writer of The Last of Us Part II (via Polygon interview)

“Fans often ask if Dina will forgive Ellie. I think the game leaves it intentionally open—that’s where the next chapter begins.”

— Ashley Johnson, voice of Ellie (via Reddit community interview)

Dina is the emotional anchor that keeps Ellie human—and her eventual departure is the story’s quietest, most devastating judgment. For fans waiting for the HBO adaptation, the question isn’t whether Dina will survive, but whether Ellie can keep the person who makes survival worth it. For the audience in Jackson (and our world), the choice is clear: Dina deserves a story that doesn’t sacrifice her for someone else’s redemption.

For a deeper dive into her backstory and unanswered questions, check out this comprehensive Dina Last of Us guide.

Frequently asked questions

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