{"id":935760,"date":"2025-04-29T11:37:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/?p=935760"},"modified":"2025-04-29T14:22:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T18:22:06","slug":"isabela-merced-joins-last-of-us-co-stars-to-discuss-latino-representation-and-cultural-impact-of-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/isabela-merced-joins-last-of-us-co-stars-to-discuss-latino-representation-and-cultural-impact-of-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Isabela Merced Joins ‘Last of Us’ Co-stars To Discuss Latino Representation and Cultural Impact of Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

As HBO’s adaptation of the groundbreaking video game The Last of Us<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>gets deeper into the lore and characters with season, cast members Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Danny Ramirez, Tati Gabrielle,<\/strong> and Ariela Barer<\/strong> gathered for a screening of episode 3, which follows a huge change in the narrative. The cast was joined by Complex host Kylie Mar to not only discuss the wide cultural impact of the series, but also how the series bolsters Latino representation.<\/p>\n

Merced, who plays Dina, was recently in an episode which featured a near shot-for-shot re-enactment<\/a> of one of the most memorable scenes from the video game: when Dina and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) kiss for the first time.<\/p>\n

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“Culture drives conversation, and conversation drives impact,” said Merced. “This screening wasn\u2019t just about watching an episode\u2014it was about experiencing it, sharing perspectives, and deepening the cultural conversation around storytelling that moves people.”<\/p>\n

“Storytelling has the power to bring people together, to make them feel seen,” said Luna, who plays Tommy. “This series has never been just about survival\u2014it\u2019s about connection. Events like this remind us how deeply audiences relate to these characters and their journeys.”<\/p>\n

Merced also sent a message out to the queer fans of The Last of Us<\/em>:<\/p>\n

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A post shared by GLAAD (@glaad)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n