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Bella Ramsey Reflects on ‘Unique Experience’ in The Last of Us Season Two
Bella Ramsey, known for their role as Ellie in the acclaimed HBO drama The Last of Us, discusses navigating fame and character growth as the highly anticipated season two premieres. Ramsey, who first gained recognition in Game of Thrones, reflects on their journey from a young actor to a leading star in a global phenomenon, and how their personal experiences intertwine with their portrayal of Ellie. The actor opens up about the complexities of Ellie’s relationships and their own path to self-discovery amidst the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world.
Navigating Early Fame and Stepping into Ellie’s Shoes
“I made a real decision when I was, like, 11 that I wasn’t going to be a typical teenager,” states Bella Ramsey, underscoring a life trajectory far from the ordinary. By 13, Ramsey had already secured a role in the global hit series, Game of Thrones. Now at 21, Ramsey spoke to BBC Newsbeat following the London premiere of The Last of Us season two, the adaptation of the popular PlayStation game which garnered both critical acclaim and high viewership.
This success catapulted the young performer into leading roles, a journey Ramsey describes as “quite a unique experience” with characteristic modesty.
The rest of this article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season one.
Season Two Tensions: Ellie and Joel’s Fractured Bond
In The Last of Us, set in a devastated future where a cordyceps fungus has decimated humanity, Ramsey’s character Ellie is immune and potentially the key to a cure. Season one followed the developing bond between Ellie and Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, as they journeyed across a perilous United States.
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This journey culminated in a dramatic decision: Joel chose to save Ellie’s life rather than allow her sacrifice for a potential vaccine, killing the doctors and deceiving Ellie about the events. Season one concluded with a palpable sense of Ellie’s awareness of Joel’s lie, setting the stage for strained dynamics in the upcoming season.
Season two, set five years later, delves into the fallout from Joel’s choice. “Obviously, there’s tension in that relationship,” Ramsey explains. “It was quite horrible to portray.”
Relatable Teenage Rebellion, On and Off-Screen
Ramsey reveals that their youthful vow to avoid typical teenage behavior was rooted more in family dynamics than career ambitions – a conscious effort to bypass the turbulent parent-teenager clashes. “So I never went through that with my dad,” Ramsey elaborates. “Me and my dad are great. So it was kind of sad to do that with Ellie and Joel.” Despite the on-screen friction, Ramsey affirms Ellie’s perspective, stating she is “very justified in her feelings about everything.”
Character and Personal Growth Intertwined
Ellie in season two is 19, mirroring Ramsey’s own growth since filming began for the first series in 2021. The production delay due to the Hollywood strikes allowed for personal evolution, creating a parallel with Ellie’s own development.
“It’s so fun getting to step back into a character but with kind of new revelations about her and about me in my own life,” Ramsey shares. “There’s always like a merging of me and whatever character I’m playing, and that happens times 10 with Ellie because I’m spending so much time in her skin.”
Embracing Neurodiversity and Authenticity
Ramsey recently shared their autism diagnosis received during the filming of the first season. Initially hesitant, Ramsey clarified, “Actually, no, that’s a lie. I did, because I said that I was neurodiverse before, and then I was like, ‘Why don’t I just say what it actually is, which is, yeah, I’m autistic.'”
Opening up about their autism has been liberating, Ramsey says, fostering a sense of freedom and aiming to inspire others. “You can be in industries like this and openly say that you’re autistic, why there shouldn’t be sort of such a stigma around that and such a fear around that,” Ramsey asserts. “So I’m very proud to be able to say it out loud and also just to bring more awareness.”
Ramsey emphasizes the diverse presentation of autism: “Autism comes in all different shapes and sizes, and I’m not someone that people would maybe typically see and go like ‘oh, you’re autistic’.”
Exploring Queer Storylines in The Last of Us
As someone who identifies as non-binary, Ramsey appreciates how The Last of Us explores Ellie’s same-sex relationship with Dina, played by Isabella Merced.
“I feel like we’re still figuring out how to portray queer storylines in the media in a way that feels very authentic but that also feels very genuine in terms of the story,” Ramsey reflects.
Ramsey praises The Last of Us’s approach: “That’s what The Last of Us does so well, I think, with Ellie and Dina. It doesn’t feel like it’s like representation added on top to check a box – it really feels like it’s just a part of the story. So that was what was exciting about getting to portray this sort of relationship in this medium.”
Growing Up in the Public Eye
With The Last of Us already greenlit for a third season, Bella Ramsey’s journey, and Ellie’s, will continue to unfold publicly. This path, Ramsey acknowledges, “comes with pros and cons,” adding, “But it’s kind of lovely that my growth and development has been immortalised on-screen. I feel very grateful for that.”
However, some aspects of growing up remain constant, Ramsey notes: “The more that you grow up, you just realise how little you know, I think. And I think that’s something that Ellie is also discovering.”
The Last of Us Season two launches on Sky and streaming service NOW on Monday 14 April.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.