Isabela Merced Shines in HBO’s The Last of Us Season Two

LOS ANGELES, CA – The highly anticipated season finale of HBO’s The Last of Us is nearing, prompting Billboard to spotlight Isabela Merced, who joins the cast in the upcoming season. Alongside series stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Merced plays Dina, a lively character who becomes Ellie’s romantic interest.

“Dina is warm, brilliant, wild, funny, moral, dangerous and instantly lovable,” said co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. “You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away. We couldn’t be prouder to have her join our family.”

Isabela, born in Ohio to a Peruvian mother and a father from Louisiana, has made a name for herself in numerous films such as Transformers: The Last Knight and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. However, her talents extend beyond acting; she also enjoys a growing music career. Rebranded as Isabela Merced for her musical pursuits, she released her debut EP, The Better Half of Me, in 2020.

Her music blends reggaetón and R&B, demonstrating her fresh bilingual sound. She has worked with artists like Sebastian Yatra and has contributed songs to movie soundtracks. Billboard confirmed that she is currently working on new music.

The official music video for her single “Papi” reflects her Peruvian heritage, incorporating elements of traditional dance and culture. “Different elements of my Peruvian culture, from the coast to the Amazons, are incorporated into every aspect of my music, wardrobe, dancing, and storytelling of my videos,” she stated.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Isabela is a UNICEF ambassador in Peru and actively participates in humanitarian efforts, visiting Amazonian communities.

The season two finale of The Last of Us will air at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25, on HBO and stream on Max.