I may actually see the love in Dina’s eyes earlier in the episode, throughout Ellie’s efficiency of “Take On Me.” What have been you aiming to convey there?
I didn’t need it to be so emotional. I used to be truly attempting to carry again. But it was only a actually stunning second. That set was beautiful, the greenery, the flowers peeking via. And Bella’s voice simply being angelic and pure, and in addition it being a second of joyful grieving. And then, on high of that, Dina is in denial of the state of affairs. I began crying. I feel that may very well be up for interpretation, as a result of I performed it varied methods, and I don’t truly know which one they selected. But there was a model the place I used to be unhappy as a result of of Joel, and figuring out that the cause I really like Joel is as a result of I really like Ellie, and the cause I really like Ellie is as a result of I really like Joel. And then there was one other model the place possibly it’s simply Dina being scared—like, Oh shit, I’m in love with this particular person. And she is aware of she’s pregnant by then, so it’s terrifying and complicates all the things.
You talked about Dina being bisexual, however possibly not even fairly figuring out what which means. I bought a chuckle out of Dina and Ellie not understanding the rainbows. But then I began pondering—these two have grown up completely in a zombie apocalypse, in order that they in all probability don’t know queer tradition. Was that one thing that you considered in your strategy to the character and this relationship?
Yeah, completely. I feel it contributed to her confusion about sexuality and what it may very well be. They don’t know what pleasure is, what the LGBTQ neighborhood is. Dina doesn’t even know the phrase bisexual. Think a few world with out all that. It makes it sort of unhappy, since you marvel what they’re lacking out on—and the preciousness of the inclusion they might really feel. And possibly an answer to them feeling like outcasts, the place Dina is conforming and Ellie is accepting that she’s not like the different residents of Jackson.
Ahead of the season, you have been quoted as promising that “the gays are going to be fed.” So I’ve to ask: Is this what we have been speaking about? Is the feeding full, or is the feeding simply getting began?
[Laughs] I really feel like this was the appetizer. I can’t imagine I mentioned that. I can’t imagine I’ve ever been interviewed professionally.
If that is the appetizer, what’s to return for these lovebirds?
Much more backstory. And they’re nonetheless holding secrets and techniques from one another, so now that they’re this way more snug, it’ll be fascinating for them to really reveal their playing cards and evolve as characters collectively. And possibly another characters coming again and complicating issues.
It’s nonetheless early, however what’s been the expertise to this point entering into this universe and its insanely passionate fan base?
I don’t assume I’ve ever seen someone do a drag present primarily based off of the IP that I used to be a component of. There’s an entire drag neighborhood for The Last of Us; it’s bought an enormous homosexual fan base. And all people simply desires me to get them a “hi” from Pedro. “Oh, Pedro, he is so hot. Have him say ‘hi’ to me.” And I’m like, “Dude, that’s my coworker, but okay.”
You’re on a very nice run right here, between final summer season’s Alien: Romulus, The Last of Us, and your upcoming debut as Hawkgirl in Superman. Have you been capable of get pleasure from it, or are you too busy to do this?
It seems like I’m on a prepare, and with every venture, the prepare’s going quicker. So when the prepare’s going sort of sluggish, it’s simpler to leap off, however when it goes actually quick, you’d in all probability leap off and die. That was sort of dramatic. But actually, that’s sort of the means I’m it.
You simply don’t need the prepare to ever cease.
If it totally stops, that’s actually dangerous whiplash.
