Isabela Merced, known for her roles in popular projects such as Madame Web, Alien: Romulus, Superman: Legacy, and The Last of Us, recently shared insights on her experiences with devoted fandoms and the importance of distinguishing between fiction and reality.
During an appearance on a podcast, Merced discussed her role as Dina in the upcoming second season of The Last of Us, where she will be joined by co-star Kaitlyn Dever as Abby. Merced highlighted the challenges faced by Dever due to fans' negative perceptions of Abby, emphasizing the need to separate the character from the actor.
Merced expressed admiration for her co-stars, particularly praising Bella Ramsey and Kaitlyn Dever for their performances in the series. She teased an upcoming romance between her character, Dina, and Ramsey's character, Ellie, hinting at emotional scenes that left her moved during filming.
Despite not having screen-tested with Ramsey for the role, Merced recalled a meeting with creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann that led to her casting, expressing surprise at their immediate decision to cast her.
Aside from her role in The Last of Us season two, Merced is set to star as Hawkgirl in the upcoming Superman: Legacy, a DCU reboot directed by James Gunn.
Reflecting on the pressures of dealing with fandoms, Merced emphasized the inevitability of not pleasing everyone and the importance of focusing on her character and preparation. She shared her dedication to her work, likening her commitment to that of passionate fans who immerse themselves in the details of a project.
