Stars of ‘The Last of Us’ Discuss Latino Representation in the Hit HBO Series
“The Last of Us” continues to engage both audiences and critics with its heartfelt moments and the transition from video game to television series.
As the second season premiered, fans were introduced to a range of new cast members, including several Latino actors, who will propel the apocalyptic narrative forward.
Prominent Latino figures like Pedro Pascal and Gabriel Luna have played essential roles in “The Last Of Us,” showcasing a significant and often underrepresented demographic on screen. New major cast additions include Isabela Merced as Dina, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Ariela Barer as Mel.
“What was particularly special was the opportunity to tell a story like this featuring so many Latino characters,” Ramirez remarked during a special screening of the show’s third episode, hosted by Max and Complex.
As noted in the Latino Donor Collaborative‘s 2024 U.S. Latinos in Media Report, nearly 20% of the U.S. population identifies as Latino. However, just 9.8% of lead roles in scripted series feature Latino talent. The report analyzed 198 scripted shows and revealed only 11 leading Latino characters, indicating a need to increase this representation to achieve market parity at 38%.
“This is the first time in my career that I can remember picturing myself in a show and actually seeing people like me represented,” Ramirez expressed about being part of the HBO series.
Merced attributed the inclusive casting to “The Last of Us” showrunner and co-creator Craig Mazin.
“Craig prioritizes casting individuals based on their character authenticity rather than their looks,” Merced shared with TODAY.com. “He believes that having the heart of the character is what truly matters.”
Interestingly, Merced was not initially auditioning for Dina. Instead, she met with Mazin to discuss her potential fit for the role.
“I wasn’t entirely sure what it was for, but my intuition hinted at it since it was with Craig and (co-creator) Neil (Druckmann),” she reflected. “From there, he cast me after determining his vision aligned with who I am.”
Barer also provided insights into the casting opportunities for her character Mel, a member of Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) group and part of the Washington Liberation Front.
“This casting call was genuinely open to various ethnic backgrounds, which I found commendable,” Barer shared with TODAY.com. “It’s crucial to create roles specifically tailored for Latinos, interwoven with cultural significance.”
She further added, “In this imaginative apocalypse setting, flexibility in casting choices can only enhance the narrative.”
“The Last of Us” avoids clichés, instead highlighting rich, multidimensional characters—an approach often missing in mainstream television.
A report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative examined Hispanic and Latino representation in 1,600 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2022, noting that 24.4% of featured Hispanic/Latino characters were shown as immigrants or from low-income backgrounds.
Moreover, the study found that over half (57.8%) of the main Hispanic/Latino characters were depicted as criminals.
Barer believes her character Mel, who serves as both a surgeon and soldier, “can resonate across various cultures and backgrounds.”
“I truly appreciated that the casting was open; it all came down to identifying the best fit for the role,” Barer concluded.
Ultimately, the cast feels the series contributes significantly to cultural discussions in its unique manner.
“Culture influences dialogue, and dialogue creates impact,” Merced stated, highlighting how the award-winning series fosters a deeper understanding of storytelling that resonates with audiences.
