HBO’s Bold Move Pays Off: Isabela Merced Shines as Dina in The Last of Us — “The Most Beautiful Woman in Post-Apocalypse”
When HBO announced that Isabela Merced had been cast as Dina in The Last of Us Season 2, the internet lit up like wildfire. Some were curious, others skeptical — but now, as the first images and behind-the-scenes glimpses roll out, one thing has become universally clear: HBO made the right choice.
Isabela Merced, the 23-year-old Peruvian-American actress known for her roles in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Sweet Girl, and Madame Web, has brought something extraordinary to the role of Dina — a perfect balance of warmth, strength, and undeniable beauty that captures exactly what fans loved about the character in
Social media has exploded with praise for Merced, with fans calling her “the most beautiful woman in the apocalypse” and “the embodiment of Dina’s soul.” On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), posts about her performance have racked up hundreds of thousands of likes within hours. One viral tweet read,
In the game, Dina is known for her fierce independence, humor, and her deep, emotional connection with Ellie. Translating that into live action is no small feat, but Isabela has already proven she’s more than up for the challenge. Co-stars Bella Ramsey (Ellie) and Pedro Pascal (Joel) have both praised her energy and authenticity on set, with Ramsey recently telling
Beyond the aesthetics, what makes Merced’s casting so impactful is how she represents the growing diversity and nuance of HBO’s
As production for Season 2 continues, anticipation is sky-high. Fans are already calling for Emmy buzz, and it’s easy to see why. Isabela Merced isn’t just playing Dina — she
In a franchise that thrives on realism, heartbreak, and humanity, HBO may have just struck gold. If Season 1 was about survival, Season 2 — with Isabela Merced’s Dina front and center — might just be about rediscovering beauty and love when everything else is gone.
Because sometimes, even in the darkest corners of the apocalypse, one person’s light can change everything. And right now, that light is Isabela Merced.
‘RHOSLC’ star Britani Bateman blasts ‘crass’ Meredith Marks for shady nickname: ‘Doesn’t need to stoop that low’
Britani Bateman is firing back after Meredith Marks took a not-so-subtle jab at her — and her “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” co-star Whitney Rose.
Throughout the press cycle for the Bravo series, Marks has referred to Bateman as “S–tani 2,” while calling Rose “S–tney 1,” shady nicknames that clearly didn’t sit well with Bateman.
“I think it’s crass and I think it’s beneath her,” Bateman tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” exclusively. “She’s a smart lady. She doesn’t need to stoop that low.”
Britani Bateman breaks down her “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” beef with Meredith Marks during a chat with Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea.”
Bateman believes Marks is “crass” for dubbing her “S–tani 2,” while nicknaming her other onscreen foe Whitney Rose “S–tney 1.”
The tension between Bateman and Marks has been simmering ever since Season 5, when the latter accused the “friend of” newcomer of secretly recording a heated altercation between cast members during a group bus ride.
Bateman has firmly denied intentionally filming the chaos, insisting it was all a misunderstanding.
Still, the scandal created a lasting rift between the two women — one that continues to spill over into the current season as Marks’ sharp tongue and penchant for wordplay find a new target in Bateman.
Bateman (far left) and Marks (far right) started clashing in Season 5, when the former joined the series as a “friend of” the cast (pictured here with Kristen Wiig at a Hollywood event in July).
Marks accused Bateman of secretly recording a heated altercation between cast members during a group bus ride — which Bateman has insisted was not the case, just a misunderstanding.
While Bateman is no stranger to the drama that comes with being part of the “Housewives” orbit, she says that she prefers to keep things classy — a trait she attributes to her strict Mormon upbringing.
“I wasn’t even allowed to say ‘shut up,’” the singer shares. “Yeah, like that’s how Mormon we were growing up, which I love and I raised my kids like that too. And I love that.”
Bateman says Marks is a “smart lady” who is capable of having more couth when it comes to verbal jabs.
Although Bateman (far right) and Marks (second from right) remain at odds, the TikTok singing sensation is happy to report that she and frenemy Brownwyn Newport (far left) are in a better place today.
While things remain icy with Marks, Bateman is thrilled that any contention with Bronwyn Newport seems to be thawing. Despite previous friction, the women seem to be getting closer and closer both on and off camera.
“I’m really starting to appreciate Bronwyn,” gushes Bateman. “She’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, she’s savvy and she’s kind.”
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
