Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us: From Casting Controversy to Iconic Ellie

Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us has had one of the most talked-about journeys in recent TV history. Cast as Ellie in HBO’s mega-hit adaptation of the zombie video game, the young actor initially faced backlash for not “looking like” the game’s character. But since season one aired in 2023, Ramsey has silenced critics with her raw, layered performance—and now returns for season two stronger than ever.

Watch The Last of Us trailer here:

Ramsey, who first rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, was just 17 when she auditioned for Ellie from her childhood bedroom. Despite not being a gamer, her audition impressed creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who reportedly considered over 100 actors.

Key facts:

• Faced early online criticism due to physical differences from game character Ellie
• Came out as nonbinary during the show’s promo tour, attracting both support and unwanted attention
• Has been diagnosed as neurodiverse and recently opened up about past struggles with anorexia

Despite the pressure, The Last of Us became HBO’s biggest hit in Europe, with over 40 million viewers tuning in for the premiere. The show’s nuanced storytelling and Ellie’s relationship with Joel (Pedro Pascal) earned critical acclaim.

In season two, Ellie’s relationship with Dina and other queer representation deepen the show’s emotional complexity. Ramsey, now 21, also reflects on newfound fame, moving to London, quitting social media, and even writing a personal film script titled Toast and Jam.

Behind the scenes:

• Did her own jiu-jitsu training for season 2
• Describes acting as “the one place I truly belong”
• Wants to act “until my last breath” and eventually direct

Ramsey hopes the focus now stays on her craft rather than labels. “I want to live more freely, and I hope everyone else can be as chill about it as I am,” she says.