During the casting call for Season 2 of The Last of Us passing through Paris, we were granted a ten-minute exchange with Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse) as per junket protocol. This meeting allowed us to discuss their roles in the series and explore the narrative challenges of this much-anticipated second season, which is eagerly awaited by a fan community that can be both demanding and sometimes toxic. Prior to diving into topics such as cordyceps fungi and post-apocalyptic tensions, an earlier encounter was recalled: Gabriel Luna’s meeting with our journalist Maxime during the Terminator: Dark Fate press tour in Tokyo in 2019. This brought a unique level of sincerity to the conversation, setting it apart from typical promotional exchanges.
When asked about his approach to playing Tommy, Gabriel Luna stated that he initially became familiar with the character by playing “The Last of Us Part II,” focusing on Bill’s mission before fully immersing himself in the universe after meeting the creators. He completed both games consecutively (one after the other) while in tears, with his wife asking him to empty the dishwasher in the background. In the original game, Tommy is a secondary character, appearing at crucial moments but remaining relatively underdeveloped.
HBO’s series notably broadens its narrative scope. Gabriel Luna confirms this expansion early in the interview: “Tommy’s path is developed in parallel to Ellie’s. He now has responsibilities in Jackson, a family, a son named Benjamin…” This development introduces new dramatic elements for the character, who is now both a father and a community leader, facing choices that pull him between familial loyalty and moral duty. Despite his commitments, he feels compelled to leave Jackson to follow Ellie and Dina. “It’s tough for him. He feels obligated to do it. He feels responsible for Ellie, like a brother, like family,” the 42-year-old actor reveals.
A contrasting approach was taken by Isabela Merced, who revealed she did not know what role she was being considered for initially. “I just knew they wanted to meet with me. I played along without knowing exactly why. Then they told me: ‘It’s Dina.'” In contrast, actor Young Mazino disclosed that he was fully aware of his role before filming began, despite the showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann specifically asking Bella Ramsey (Ellie) not to play the game in order to avoid being influenced by Ashley Johnson’s original performance.