(Minor spoilers for The Last of Us HBO series and the video game’s sequel) The Last of Us episode 6 brought a mix of pieces from the first and second game, including the Part II character Dina possibly making a cameo, at least, fans think so. It does look like her, so let’s take a deeper look and what this could mean for the show.
The 2020 video game followed Ellie and Joel five years after the events of the first game. Dina, played by Shannon Woodward, has an intimate relationship with Ellie. For The Last of Us series, the Dina cameo is played by a newcomer to the world of Hollywood. Paolina van Kleef (The Night Agent) is credited as “staring girl.” For keen-eyed fans, she looks like a Latina version of the video game character, and since the show has proven to change some aspects of characters, like their race, then it is possible she could be given her first major role for season 2.
The scene in question sees Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and his wife Maria (Rutina Wesley) giving Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) a hot meal in their settlement of Jackson, Wyoming, a place that is only seen in the second game as the first game they are settled at the dam. A girl is hiding behind a pillar, watching Ellie, who intimidatingly says, “What?” (seen below).
The Last of Us fans think they caught a cameo from Dina
DINA CAMEO??? #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/fbA9gIV2u6
— daily dina nolastname (@dinasdaiIy) February 20, 2023
Social media blew up with people asking, “Was that Dina?” after watching the latest episode of The Last of Us. Even Woodward tweeted, “oh damn was that Dina,” which stirred the pot more of people’s theories.
The possibility of the character was not the only nod to the sequel. Along with Jackson, we got all sorts of Easter eggs and references. For fans, you would likely remember Dina and Ellie’s ranch, which in the show, Joel says he wants to have a ranch with sheep. Ellie talking about astronauts acknowledges a wholesome scene in the second game. A pony that Ramsey’s Ellie meets is named Shimmer, the name of the horse Ashley Johnson’s original version rode.
Regardless of this unknown actress being bumped up to a major supporting character for season 2, Dina will be coming due to her importance as Ellie’s love interest and what she does throughout the story of the second game. No official casting has been announced, but since it has been renewed, we will keep our eyes open to see who will play major roles from the game, like Dina.