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SPOILER ALERT: This story comprises spoilers from “Day One,” Season 2, Episode 4 of “The Final of Us,” now streaming on Max.

When Isabela Merced met with “The Final of Us” creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, she was accustomed to the supply materials for the second season of the HBO drama, the video recreation “The Final of Us Half II” — however she had no thought what function they’d in thoughts for her. “They only requested me basic questions, attempting to get my character down,” she stated in an interview earlier this week, throughout which she was combating a chilly, and started by apologizing upfront for any future coughing. Mazin and Druckmann instantly forged her as Dina — the Jackson-based greatest good friend and love curiosity of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) — and Merced remembers considering, “Oh my God, that is a lot greater than I assumed!”

Dina is a significant character in “Half II,” however since Merced obtained just one script at time for Season 2, it took her some time to comprehend Mazin and Druckmann had elevated her character to the sequence’ co-lead alongside Ramsey’s Bella. However their determination made sense to her. “As a result of Dina’s form of a clear slate, and a clean web page in plenty of methods,” Merced stated, Mazin, Druckmann and “The Final of Us” writers had been ready to make use of the character to higher facilitate the “transition from the sport to the TV present.” And since Dina, as written for tv, is a ray of sunshine in Ellie’s unhappy, demanding life — which turns into exponentially sadder after Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) exacts revenge on Joel (Pedro Pascal), murdering him earlier than Ellie’s eyes — solely when she is with Dina does Ellie rework into the carefree character audiences knew within the present’s first season. “Like, OK, Ellie’s actually fucked up and indignant,” Merced stated. “However every time Dina’s round, it’s like she immediately is ready to entry the enjoyment that she as soon as felt.”

In “Day One,” Season 2’s fourth episode, Ellie and Dina are cautiously navigating Seattle, the place they’re on the hunt for Abby to take their very own revenge. As the 2 of them cruise round on horseback by way of the town’s (traditionally queer) Capitol Hill neighborhood, they surprise about all of the rainbow flags. “I don’t know — perhaps they’re all optimists,” Ellie says.

The episode, written by Mazin, and directed by Kate Herron, is a colossus. Dina learns finally that Ellie is immune from cordyceps an infection, after which they confess their emotions for one another, and have intercourse for the primary time. Oh, and since Dina learns she’s pregnant early within the episode — her on once more, off once more boyfriend Jesse (Younger Mazino) is the daddy — she tells Ellie about her plans for his or her future, as she’d envisioned them: plans she noticed disappearing after Ellie is bitten by a clicker. “I assumed you had been gone, after which impulsively, this future I used to be imagining wasn’t going to occur — the place we’re collectively and have a child,” Dina says. “I don’t know in case you even need that.” Ellie replies: “I need it with you.”

There’s no scarcity of motion in “Day One” both. Ellie is bitten on the finish of an elaborate, stunts-filled sequence, as Ellie and Dina face each the Wolves and, after they descend right into a subway tunnel, a horde of contaminated on the subway itself. Additionally they witness the brutality of the Scars’ practices for the primary time, after they come throughout the eerie, horrifying sight of a room crammed with hanged lifeless our bodies: Wolves which were lynched and disemboweled.

What an unlikely episode to result in such poignant professions of affection, proper? And but, that’s “The Final of Us” for you. Because the episode attracts to an in depth, Ellie looks as if her previous self once more, exuberantly celebrating: “So we’re all having a child. Holy shit! I’m gonna be a dad.” However they know they’re in Seattle for a purpose. The episode ends with Ellie and Dina, on the roof of the theater that’s grow to be their refuge, trying towards the place they assume Abby should be. When Ellie tries to inform Dina she doesn’t must go together with her, that her being pregnant has modified issues, Dina demurs. Dina reaches out her hand, says “collectively” — the ultimate picture is them holding fingers, trying grimly into the space.

Merced, who’s initially from Cleveland, Ohio, started performing as a toddler, and has starred in films equivalent to 2019’s “Dora and the Misplaced Metropolis of Gold” and 2024’s “Alien: Romulus.” In a far-ranging interview, Merced mentioned working with the present’s intimacy coordinator on Dina and Ellie’s first time having intercourse with one another, why the subway automobile sequence necessitated her creating a “secret signal language” with Ramsey — and what the present’s LGBTQ illustration means for her as a queer actor.

Once you received this function, did you perceive how central Dina is to Season 2? It’s actually the Ellie-Dina season. When did you work that out?

I solely received one episode at a time, so I used to be simply studying as I went on. I believe the writers needed to vary a bit bit about this transition from the sport to the TV present, and since Dina’s form of a clear slate — and like a clean web page in plenty of methods — they use Dina to bridge it. Additionally, Ellie’s actually darkish and actually brooding within the second recreation, and I really feel like they needed to verify to include extra of how Ellie was within the first season, and the primary recreation. Like, OK, Ellie’s actually fucked up and indignant, however every time Dina’s round, it’s like she immediately is ready to entry the enjoyment that she as soon as felt.

I additionally assume Dina’s serving to Ellie grieve in a approach — but additionally Ellie’s serving to Dina grieve. I believe Dina’s redirecting her grief and placing it on Ellie and being like, “Oh, I’ll provide help to.” Like that one good friend who will assist anybody however themselves is how I see Dina.

I didn’t anticipate it to be this huge of a job, however I’m actually glad. I additionally actually love that they’re doing a gradual burn with the romance versus within the recreation, it was instantly. I believe they’re being actually cautious with how they’re presenting the Sapphic story, and the authenticity of it.

Completely. But it surely was clear to me from Dina’s and Ellie’s first scenes collectively within the Season 2 premiere that Dina is into Ellie — lengthy earlier than the New Yr’s Eve kiss, even. The connection simply feels so lived in and actual. How did you construct that with Bella Ramsey?

Actually, we didn’t actually get an opportunity to construct it. We had been doing plenty of prep previous to the season and taking pictures it, and I used to be additionally filming “Superman” concurrently the present. I used to be doing principally bodily coaching. Bella was doing bodily coaching, stunts coaching, as a result of Bella has that sequence with the Stalker within the first episode. So we actually didn’t get a lot time to get there. I used to be similar to, “OK, effectively, it’s what it’s.” I imply, I used to be nervous, I’d say, greater than something. However day zero we went in, we shot that first scene the place Dina involves get Ellie for patrol and makes enjoyable of her Converse. And Craig was tremendous excited from that second on. However I don’t assume that was the day my anxiousness was relieved. I believe the day that my anxiousness was relieved was throughout the digital camera check, and it simply felt actually proper.

This story will run after Episode 4, however in Episode 3, clearly Dina needs one thing to occur within the tent. Is that how the 2 of you performed it?

It was all the time them each dancing round their emotions, and I believe that was what we needed to watch out of. The director Peter Hoar was actually cautious about what emotion we confirmed and when — particularly, reserving the true feelings after we’re not taking a look at one another, and actually placing on the masks after we are. That scene is actually essential, as a result of it’s not solely simply including to the strain that’s already there, however each of them most likely really feel responsible for feeling some form of giddiness about their romance. And Dina feels responsible as a result of she looks like she’s betraying Jesse; Ellie feels responsible as a result of she looks like she’s betraying Joel.

There was a model the place Ellie’s looking at Dina’s physique, and it was sexual in a approach? And you would see her wheels handing over her head. However I’m actually glad they removed that, solely as a result of I believe it’s simply smarter on the subject of the general telling of it. I believe it’s rather less on the nostril, and a bit bit extra nuanced — I actually like that they’re spacing it out this manner.

Ellie would really have been killed minute one with out Dina — like, thank God Dina goes together with her. After they get to Seattle, they go right into a music retailer, and Ellie sings “Take On Me,” which is a cutscene from the sport. You instructed us on the junket that you simply beloved that scene from the sport, and had been joyful it was within the present. Are you able to discuss why?

I imply, I cried once I watched that scene, and I hadn’t recognized that I used to be enjoying Dina but, so it was unbiased tears. Music has all the time been an entry level to my feelings. It means a lot to me for thus many causes.

I like that they incorporate that Ellie’s realized the guitar from Joel. It’s like her second of joyful grief, as a result of there’s so many flavors to grief: There’s the unhappy type, the sort that sneaks up on you, the shock type — after which the joyful type the place you’re grieving the joyful moments in a joyful approach, and perhaps you shed joyful tear. I believe for a lot of causes, Dina is feeling emotional, as a result of to start with, Ellie’s fucking stunning and he or she’s adoring her in each approach. But additionally I believe she’s grieving Joel too in that second. And perhaps in my head I used to be like, “Has Dina ever heard this track earlier than?” So far as she’s involved, it’s the primary time she’s heard this masterpiece, and it’s a personal solo efficiency by the individual she loves — about and for the person who the individual she loves loves.

Was Bella Ramsey really singing and enjoying?

Yeah, Bella Ramsey is a very gifted musician, and likewise has their very own songs that they’ve written all through the years. And I had the pleasure of getting to listen to that behind the scenes. We might typically deliver a guitar, and play for one another.

The best way Dina is taking a look at Ellie with such love, it feels so actual. Are you able to discuss getting there?

I used to be excited to shoot it, after which I used to be additionally actually emotional, due to the set design being so stunning and it feeling a very really candy and tender second within the present after a lot darkness and loss. So I used to be very emotional that day. And likewise perhaps it was my first day of my interval — I don’t know, I believe I keep in mind it was. At any time when it’s the primary day of my interval, I’m only a effectively of feelings. It was actually exhausting for me to not cry. And I’m all the time, much less is extra — so much less dialogue is healthier, in case you can say it along with your eyes, say it along with your eyes. After which much less emotion in your face, or holding it again, is healthier. So I used to be fighting that, really, on the day, as a result of I needed to order every thing a bit bit extra.

And in some unspecified time in the future, even the director was like, “Hey, perhaps strive to not cry?” It was actually, actually exhausting for me. And in order that was my wrestle all through the entire scene — simply attempting to not cry. I seen when watching it just lately that there was a change from the loving look to a unhappiness in my eyes. I used to be attempting to recollect what I used to be considering, and I believe it was similar to I needed to include that Dina isn’t fearless, actually? She could look like it. She could look like she will deal with loads, and all through the episode you study that she will’t. However I needed to provide folks a glimpse into that, as a result of love is horrifying. So for her to really feel these feelings, after which in actual time be fearful of them, was actually essential to me. As a result of I believe that’s reasonable.

Within the reverse of that scene’s vibe, Dina and Ellie then come throughout disemboweled, lynched individuals who’ve been killed by the Scars. Did they’ve our bodies there, or had been they put in later?

That was really pretend our bodies, however they appeared actually reasonable and so they had been hung up on that wall. And it was completely terrifying and disgusting, and it actually ruined my day to be there. Uncanny valley is a time period for a purpose: The mind can solely take a lot false data that’s seems to be actual.

Yeah, precisely. I imply, was it as freaky to see that because it was once I noticed it on display?

Yeah, it was disturbing and yeah, the vibes had been hostile for positive. It jogged my memory plenty of my expertise with “Alien: Romulus,” the place it was only one degree of concern, then the subsequent degree, after which more and more simply constructing that simply to ultimately attain the full-fledged adrenaline rush that comes with survival. I’m glad I had that have, as a result of it undoubtedly skilled me for this.

With the scene within the subway tunnels, Dina and Ellie are literally saved from the Wolves by the contaminated horde — and Dina’s attempting to rely them, however she doesn’t have sufficient fingers. The place ought to I begin with questions for you in regards to the sequence? It was such an enormous set piece.

It was large. Oh my God. And it was undoubtedly actually difficult. I believe we spent per week in there, I don’t even know. It felt like a blur. And every time we may, we might simply attempt to escape outdoors and get some solar. It was actually, actually darkish.

And I simply keep in mind enjoyable info about that, I assume, can be that set dec is meant to have some form of soil and dust as cooperated, however plenty of occasions they use the fertilizer, which has manure in it. However they didn’t have sufficient time to organize, I assume, so that they introduced within the manure and it hadn’t had time to air out. So nearly all of that have, it smelled like shit. It was actually disgusting. Additionally, Dina’s doing plenty of cardio, Ellie’s doing plenty of cardio operating round. There are tons of contaminated, and it was really only a loopy expertise. A lot occurring.

Had been these subway vehicles actually rocking? Was it exhausting to maintain your steadiness?

Yeah, they had been really rocking. I believe they may’ve been on a type of mechanical stands, but additionally on the identical time, they actually had the teams of individuals pushing on them. I may actively really feel myself bouncing from one finish of the automobile to the opposite, after which additionally having to shoot the weapons in the proper place — it was a very loopy sequence. It took a very long time to do.

However due to that have, Bella and I ended up making a secret language — that was the sequence during which we created a secret signal language to only talk with one another about what it’s that we had been snug with or uncomfortable with when it got here to what they had been asking of us. After which additionally if we wanted to pee or if we wanted to…

Wait, wait, wait. What do you imply, snug with bodily?

Yeah, snug with bodily. You don’t ever need to be that one individual that goes, “Oh, I really don’t need to try this” — as a result of then as a younger girl, you danger a repute. So we must actually be allies for one another, and we communicated first inside the security of us two, after which we might go, “Effectively, we’re going to each say that we don’t need to do it.”

By way of stunts, or what sorts of —

Yeah.

So you would faucet in a stunt double at a sure level in case you needed to?

Yeah, completely. They had been all the time there, and more often than not HBO most popular that they did it. However Bella is somebody very excited in regards to the motion, and perhaps it’s as a result of they’re youthful than me, and I’ve been doing this for thus lengthy, I’m like, “Ah, I don’t receives a commission to do stuff, so I’m good! There’s someone who has that job for a purpose.”

After all. Did you emerge unscathed? Had been you OK?

Yeah, truthfully, I used to be advantageous. I didn’t actually really feel unsafe ever. They had been actually on it. It’s the perks of being part of such a big-budget manufacturing.

After Ellie is bitten, she says to Dina, “I’d die for you. I’d, however that’s not what occurred” — since Dina doesn’t know that Ellie is immune. Are you able to discuss filming that scene?

Yeah, that was tough. That was fairly emotional. I believe I simply went to a very darkish place to have the ability to really feel that inside battle, which I’ve by no means actually felt that earlier than. I believe we spent perhaps half the day doing that — it actually wasn’t that lengthy. And I actually needed the viewers to consider that Dina would possibly really shoot her. So I needed to really feel that battle or else — I imply, I simply actually like, if I don’t really feel it, then nobody’s going to really feel it. That’s how my philosophy is.

Effectively, you probably did nice. You’ve got Ellie at gunpoint with tears operating down your face — it was very efficient, I assumed. However was that what you imply about the way it was exhausting holding these two issues, like your love of Ellie and being like, “OK, sure, I’d kill this individual”?

Yeah, it was two excessive feelings combating the opposite to win, after which me having to resolve once I needed to include what and the way. And going off of Bella’s efficiency, I believe what Bella gave me was it felt actually true and determined, so I believe that confuses Dina much more. After which additionally the road about, “I’m immune.” At first, Dina undoubtedly doesn’t consider Ellie, and is sort of in a approach, “When you’re mendacity, you’re a chunk of shit. And in case you’re telling the reality, you’re a chunk of shit,” principally. She’s like, “How dare you?” In both circumstance, it’s a how dare you? state of affairs. So I believe there’s plenty of anger there too. It’s the anger, it’s the love, it’s the confusion. It’s the unhappiness.

And when Ellie doesn’t flip, Dina tells her she’s pregnant and kisses her, after which they’ve intercourse for the primary time. Did you movie that scene in several methods?

Yeah, I’m attempting to recollect what the chronology of it was. I believe we undoubtedly shot the buildup to the kiss and every thing after the gunpoint situation. We had plenty of time to shoot that, really — extra time than we did with the holding Ellie at gunpoint after the chew sequence. They actually needed to verify the cinematography was on level, since you don’t see Dina for the primary a part of that due to the flashlight, which I believe is actually intelligent. And it offers me an opportunity to hype myself up, and actually simply really feel anxious and get me to that place. After which the flashlight turns off, the torch is on. And that choreography was attention-grabbing, too, as a result of it’s like, why does she flip off the flashlight and get the torch? How do I make that make sense? As a result of visually, it’s stunning, however practicality-wise… However I do assume it is smart: I believe Dina needs Ellie to see her concern and her face and whatnot. I’m actually proud of the way it went.

How did you navigate the intercourse scene? Did you’re employed with the director Kate Herron on it, and was there an intimacy coordinator?

We labored loads with an intimacy coordinator. Her identify was Kathy [Kadler], and he or she was actually nice. She made us really feel actually snug, but additionally we had already labored collectively for greater than half the season at that time. Ellie and I had been actually snug too. I believe what we needed to verify was that greater than something there was some form of consent within the scene, as a result of they’re clearly each in very susceptible positions. So we had been very detailed about that scene. All of us had concepts, proper? As a result of we needed it to be attractive. We needed it to be emotional and charged, but additionally sensible and present their relationship and the way it’s going to vary now that this barrier has been damaged. Particularly, I needed Dina to be the one to unzip her personal pants, take Ellie’s hand and actively information it down her physique. As a result of despite the fact that Ellie is technically the one who’s on prime, I believe it’s exhibiting they each have company on this determination to take it to the subsequent step. And I believe it was stunning. And I believe, yeah, we made some actually smart selections there.

I do like that morning breath issues even within the apocalypse. Dina’s hair appears unimaginable your entire time, by the way in which. Are you watching it again, like, “Wow, that is hair that holds up!”?

Yeah, actually. Actually!

So that they lastly confess their emotions for each other. And when Ellie asks, “Why now?” Dina tells Ellie she needs to lift the infant together with her, and that Ellie’s the one. How did the 2 of you deliver such sweetness to that scene?

They lastly have the reality on the market. And whenever you do lastly confess that — ego apart, issues apart, after which concern apart — it’s like your coronary heart simply opens up, and there’s this sweetness. Particularly with ladies, as soon as we’re snug with one another, it’s like we don’t have any concern with that expression of affection. And I needed to verify, sure, essentially the most tense half is over, however there’s nonetheless an depth to their love for one another. I believe every thing felt so tender that day, even after we had been taking pictures it, Bella and I had been simply so snug with one another. And likewise, we each have expertise in queer relationships — you may simply inform when a woman hasn’t kissed a woman earlier than. You may simply really feel it. So each of us had been already advantageous and comfy, and so we may actually discover. We added some kisses that weren’t within the authentic script. We added some moments that weren’t there simply primarily based off of our comfortability with one another.

The episode ends with Dina and Ellie on the roof trying towards the place they assume Abby is, holding fingers — and Dina says, “Collectively.” I’ve seen the entire season, so I understand how sophisticated issues get, however it’s so highly effective in that second. As a queer individual, what does it imply to you to have that type of illustration on such a large present?

I imply, it’s superior! Nobody really thinks I’m queer, which is ok. I don’t actually care. I’m an actor, so I can play anybody, proper? However for it to imply a lot to me personally is nice and grand. And I simply take into consideration folks from my hometown who perhaps have by no means seen this facet of me watching this and actually attending to know me in a approach, and understanding me and them actually seeing it on a big scale. After which picturing somebody perhaps who was like me: Grew up Catholic, shoved down their feelings and perhaps needs to be an actor — since you’d be shocked. There’s plenty of these particular archetypes in Ohio!

Particularly Ohio?

Yeah, or simply center America. That to me is actually, actually essential, and superior. And that’s what was so cool in regards to the recreation and the supply materials: It was actually forward of its time. I imply, though now we have to thank plenty of the lesbian love story to Halley Gross who was introduced in for the second recreation and actually was an advocate for Ellie and Dina’s relationship and actually took lead when it got here to the physicality and the romance of it — as a result of I believe Neil didn’t really feel like he was the one which was able to telling that story, or perhaps even snug with it. So yeah, shout out Halley.

Issues solely get tougher for Dina and Ellie in Season 3. How are you making ready for that?

It’s going to be bizarre performing like I don’t like Bella. It’s going to be exhausting, as a result of I’ve such a candy spot for them now. However I don’t know. I’ve tried to ask Craig, however I don’t assume he even actually is aware of but absolutely how issues are going to be. However I’ve my very own enter that I’ve already texted him about with strategies as to how everybody reacts to the ending of Season 2, and the way I believe Dina — now that she’s modified a lot from the sport — how she would react to the occasions that happen. And I’m so excited to speak about Episode 7, as a result of that to me is a large shift for his or her relationship, and what occurs when the reality is revealed.

Have you learnt whenever you’re beginning manufacturing?

No, however I believe it ought to be subsequent 12 months.

Can’t be quickly sufficient!

This interview has been edited and (barely!) condensed.