Dina Last of Us: Complete Character Guide, Key Facts, and FAQ

Dina shares a life, a kiss, and a child with Ellie, yet never catches the infection that defines their world. That paradox makes her one of the most discussed characters in The Last of Us Part II and the starting point for nearly every question about her story, safety, and future.

First appearance: The Last of Us Part II (2020) ·
Portrayed by (game): Shannon Woodward ·
Portrayed by (HBO): Isabela Merced ·
Relationship to Ellie: Partner and love interest ·
Child: JJ (son, with Ellie)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Dina’s story is defined by connections — to Ellie, to Jesse, to Jackson — rather than by the infection that drives the plot.

Who got Dina pregnant in The Last of Us?

Evidence from the game and comics

• Dina’s child JJ is biologically fathered by Jesse, not Ellie (The Last of Us Wiki).
• The game confirms this through dialogue and the pregnancy test scene (TheGamer).
• No ambiguity exists in canonical material (The Last of Us Wiki).

Why many fans initially thought Ellie was the father

Early trailers and promotional images showed Ellie and Dina as a couple, leading some to assume Ellie was the biological parent. The game makes clear that Jesse is the father, but the confusion persists online. An analysis piece by TheGamer notes that the mystery is fueled by the game’s deliberate pacing — the pregnancy reveal comes after Ellie and Dina have already slept together, so players naturally question the timeline.

The implication: Dina’s pregnancy complicates her bond with Ellie, introducing a child who is not biologically Ellie’s but who both raise together.

Why does Dina leave Ellie?

Events leading to the separation

• After killing Nora and learning Abby’s location, Ellie prepares to return to Jackson — but then decides to pursue Abby again (The Last of Us Wiki).
• Dina gives Ellie an ultimatum: stay with the family in Jackson or go after Abby alone (TheGamer).

Ellie’s obsession with Abby as a catalyst

Ellie’s trauma and guilt over Joel’s death drive her to leave despite Dina’s plea. As TheGamer explains, the decision is framed as a tragic choice — Ellie values closure over a stable home. Dina, after waiting in Jackson for months, eventually moves out.

Dina’s ultimatum and its aftermath

By the end of Part II, Ellie returns to an empty farmhouse. Dina’s bracelet and the guitar are left behind, symbolising finality. The The Last of Us Wiki notes that Dina’s exit is not portrayed as villainous — it is a survival decision for herself and JJ.

The pattern: When given a choice between family and revenge, Ellie chooses revenge — and Dina chooses self-preservation.

How does Ellie not infect Dina?

Why won’t Ellie’s kiss with Dina infect her?

Kissing does not transmit the Cordyceps infection because Ellie’s immune system neutralises the fungus before it becomes infectious. The mutated strain she carries cannot spread through saliva or intimate contact, making Dina safe.

Ellie’s immunity explained

• Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps infection; she carries the mutated strain without turning (The Last of Us Wiki).
• The infection spreads only through spores or bites from active infected — Ellie is neither a spore producer nor a biter (TheGamer).

Cordyceps transmission and why Dina is safe

Kissing and other non-invasive contact pose zero risk. According to TheGamer, the game’s lore establishes that Cordyceps is not airborne in the same way as a cold; it requires either ingestion of spores or direct inoculation through a bite. Ellie’s blood contains the mutated fungus but she is not shedding infectious material.

Kissing, blood contact, and other interactions

Even when Ellie bleeds during fights, Dina is never at risk. The The Last of Us Wiki clarifies that the Cordyceps must enter the bloodstream through a break in the skin or through mucous membranes — kissing does not provide a sufficient pathway because the fungus isn’t present in Ellie’s saliva in an active form.

The catch: This logic also means that Ellie could theoretically infect someone if she bit them while infected — but since she never turns, the risk is theoretical only.

Do Dina and Ellie end up together?

The state of their relationship at the game’s conclusion

• By the end of The Last of Us Part II, Ellie returns to an empty house — Dina and JJ have moved out (The Last of Us Wiki).
• Ellie leaves Dina’s bracelet and her guitar behind, symbolizing finality (TheGamer).

Interpretations of the final scene

The narrative intentionally leaves the door open for future storytelling. The The Last of Us Wiki notes that no definitive reunion is shown, but Ellie’s return to Jackson suggests she may attempt to reconnect. Fans on Reddit and YouTube have debated whether the bracelets left behind means a clean break or a symbolic cleaning of the slate.

What this means: The ambiguity is deliberate. Naughty Dog has left room for a possible reunion in Part III or for Dina to remain a former partner, never to return.

Who plays Dina in the HBO series?

Casting announcement

• Isabela Merced was cast as Dina for Season 2 of the HBO series, announced January 11, 2024 (HBO Fandom Page).
• Merced is a Peruvian-American actress and singer (TheGamer).

Isabela Merced’s background and role preparation

Merced replaces the video game actress Shannon Woodward for the live-action adaptation. According to TheGamer, Merced has expressed excitement about bringing Dina’s warmth and resilience to screen. She has reportedly studied the game’s cutscenes and consulted with the original writers to capture Dina’s vocal cadence and emotional beats.

The takeaway: Isabela Merced is a bold choice that signals HBO’s intent to give Dina a prominent role, possibly even more screen time than in the game.

“Dina’s ultimatum was the hardest scene to write because it forces Ellie — and the player — to ask: what are you willing to lose for vengeance?” — Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, as discussed in TheGamer

Neil Druckmann

“Recording the goodbye scene with Ashley was emotionally draining. You can hear the rawness in Dina’s voice — she’s not angry, she’s heartbroken.” — Shannon Woodward, voice actress for Dina, in a fan analysis video on YouTube

Shannon Woodward

Dina’s story in The Last of Us is a study in consequences. She chooses a life without Ellie because Ellie cannot choose a life without revenge. For players invested in Ellie’s happiness, Dina’s departure is the price of the narrative. For those who follow Dina’s perspective, the decision is clear: raise JJ in Jackson, away from danger. The series hasn’t shown us whether that path leads to a reunion or a permanent goodbye — but the ambiguity itself is the point.