Isabela Merced, set to join the cast of HBO’s The Last of Us for its anticipated second season, recently opened up about her deep-rooted passion for video games, dubbing it an “unhealthy obsession.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Merced confessed to her past habit of indulging in video games until the early hours of the morning, even during her previous relationship. “So I have a very unhealthy obsession with video games, and I told myself I wouldn’t get a PS5,” she disclosed.
Despite her initial resolution, Merced’s commitment to her role as Dina in The Last of Us led her to immerse herself in the gaming world once again. Upon receiving the call about her casting, she promptly borrowed a friend’s PS5 and delved into The Last of Us: Part II, completing the game within a single weekend. “I had already watched the show, and so I went to my friend’s house and I played it all in one weekend on the PS5,” she recounted. “It was amazing. I did 25 hours of gameplay. It was wild, but so much fun. So I really liked the second game, but I haven’t played the first game yet. Only the second.”
Merced joins a stellar lineup of new cast members for The Last of Us Season 2, including Kaitlyn Dever (Abby) and Young Mazino (Jesse), with more stars yet to be unveiled.
While awaiting Merced’s portrayal of Dina, fans can catch her in the upcoming Madame Web movie hitting theaters on February 16.
The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us will delve into the events of The Last of Us: Part II, potentially paving the way for additional seasons in the future. Although the premiere date for Season 2 remains undisclosed, fans can anticipate its release sometime in 2025, following HBO’s upcoming House of the Dragon Season 2.
Meanwhile, speculation looms over the continuation of The Last of Us game series, with hints at The Last of Us: Part III. Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog teased the possibility, expressing excitement over a newfound concept that could potentially serve as the foundation for the next chapter in the acclaimed franchise.
