One of the most unforgettable and touching moments in The Last of Us series — and a personal favorite of mine — occurs in the sequel, The Last of Us Part II. In this scene, Ellie and Dina engage in a sweet dance and kiss during a vibrant celebration in Jackson. This critical moment was first unveiled in the game’s initial gameplay footage at E3 2018, representing a significant landmark in mainstream gaming: the fierce protagonist Ellie was confirmed as a lesbian in a high-profile AAA title. Although her sexuality was initially established in the 2014 DLC Left Behind, which influenced Season 1, Episode 7 of the HBO series, this scene brought it into the spotlight in a powerful manner.

Now, the HBO adaptation is bringing that iconic moment to fruition in Season 2, with Bella Ramsey and Isabela Merced taking on the roles of Ellie and Dina, respectively. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann — the latter also serving as co-president of Naughty Dog and creator of the original game — meticulously recreate the scene almost line-for-line and shot-for-shot. Originally co-written by Druckmann and Halley Gross, the scene is affectionately adapted for television.

“That was a truly memorable day, just having a group of people together in one room enjoying themselves. That doesn’t often happen in The Last of Us — with music, lovely lighting, and dancing,” Ramsey shared with Mashable’s Belen Edwards.

In both the game and the series, Ellie hesitantly attends the town’s New Year’s Eve celebration in 2029, clad in her signature flannel. The camera trails her as she steps into the warmly illuminated town hall, alive with music and dancing. Ellie lingers near the bar, observing Dina as she dances joyfully with others. Her feelings for Dina are evident to the audience, though it’s unclear whether Dina recognizes them. Earlier in the episode, Dina stops by Ellie’s home to help her get ready for patrol — a moment that mirrors a scene in the game, although it originally included Jesse, Dina’s ex and Ellie’s friend.

At the dance, Jesse joins Ellie as another wallflower, commenting on Dina’s lively dancing: “She’s really putting on a show.” Dina then comes over, takes Jesse’s drink, and pulls Ellie onto the dance floor. What kicks off as a playful moment gradually evolves into something more intimate and vulnerable. Dina delivers the unforgettable line, “Everyone should be terrified of you,” before they share a kiss.

This scene — originally voiced by Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward in the game — is beautifully reimagined in the series, with Ramsey and Merced conveying the same emotional weight. The setting, filled with warmth and joy, sharply contrasts the harsh, post-apocalyptic world outside. Amidst the violence, infection, and ongoing struggle for survival, this moment provides a rare glimpse of love, connection, and the nervous excitement of a first kiss.

“The kiss between them felt like a genuinely tender and complicated moment for Ellie,” Ramsey explained. “There’s an aspect of self-protection involved. She clearly feels something for Dina, but she’s unsure of how Dina feels about her — whether it’s just a bit of fun or something more profound.”

Ramsey added that filming the scene was a lovely experience, made secure and supportive by intimacy coordinator Kathy Kadler. “It was a really safe environment to explore this first romantic, intimate moment between Ellie and Dina.”

Fans of the game will also recognize the music from the original scene, featuring Crooked Still’s songs “Little Sadie” and “Ecstasy” in the episode — credited in the show as Brittany and the Jug Boys. The recreation of the scene was a collaborative endeavor, with both Mazin and Druckmann present on set to oversee the process.

“Neil was on set for some of those days and Craig was directing that episode, so we had the original creators of both the show and the game involved,” Merced told Mashable. “We did many takes and angles, but you could feel the magic in the room. It was the same magic I experienced when I first watched that cutscene in the game. Everyone felt it — the significance, the fear, and the thrill of that moment for these two characters.”

The Last of Us Season 2 is currently streaming on Max, with new episodes airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.