The internet can be a brutal place for a teenager. Bella Ramsey found that out the hard way. When HBO first announced they’d be playing Ellie in The Last of Us, the backlash was immediate. It was loud. It was often mean-spirited. Fans of the original 2013 video game were obsessed with a specific look—a carbon copy of the pixelated Ellie they had grown to love.
Ramsey didn't look like that Ellie. People complained about their forehead. They complained about the lack of resemblance to Ashley Johnson, the original voice and motion-capture actor. But then the show actually aired.
The Last of Us Bella Ramsey: Redefining Ellie
Honestly, the conversation changed the moment Ramsey opened their mouth on screen. They captured that specific blend of foul-mouthed bravado and heartbreaking vulnerability that makes Ellie, well, Ellie. It wasn't just a carbon copy; it was an elevation. Even Ashley Johnson herself eventually stepped in, telling GamesRadar+ that Ramsey brought a depth to the role that the original game team hadn't quite captured. That’s a massive endorsement.
You’ve probably seen the "Left Behind" episode. If you didn't feel something during that mall scene, you might be a Clicker. Ramsey’s ability to play a kid trying to be an adult while clearly being terrified is what sold the show to the skeptics.
Why the Season 2 Time Skip Changed Everything
Moving into 2025 and 2026, the stakes for The Last of Us Bella Ramsey grew even higher. Season 2 covers the events of Part II, which jumps forward five years. Ellie is no longer a 14-year-old tagalong. She’s a 19-year-old survivor fueled by a very specific, very dark kind of rage.
📖 Related: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Critics shifted their goalposts. Suddenly, the worry wasn't about the face, but whether Ramsey could pull off the "brutal" version of Ellie. They’re a naturally small person. Could they really take down a WLF soldier twice their size?
The show handled this by leaning into Ellie’s speed and desperation rather than raw strength. In Season 2, which aired throughout the spring of 2025, we saw a much more "haunted" version of the character. Ramsey has talked openly about how filming this season felt "heavier" without Pedro Pascal (Joel) being a constant presence on set. It’s a lonely season for Ellie, and you can feel that isolation in every frame.
Personal Growth and Identity
Beyond the acting, Ramsey has become a bit of a lightning rod for cultural discussions. They identify as non-binary and use they/them pronouns. In early 2025, they also shared a recent autism diagnosis with the public.
Ramsey told the BBC that this clarity helped them navigate the chaos of fame. It also arguably informed their portrayal of Ellie—a character who has always felt like an outsider, even among her own people. There’s a certain "merging," as Ramsey calls it, between their own growth and Ellie’s evolution.
👉 See also: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
What Most People Get Wrong About the Casting
A lot of the "hate" you see on Reddit or Twitter (now X) usually boils down to one thing: nostalgia. People wanted the game brought to life exactly as they remembered it. But a 1:1 translation usually feels stiff.
Mazin and Druckmann (the show’s creators) weren't looking for a look-alike. They were looking for a "soul-mate" for the character. They found it. Ramsey’s chemistry with Pedro Pascal—who famously called Bella his "blessing"—is the only reason the show works. Without that bond, the ending of the first season has zero weight.
- Physicality: Ramsey didn't hit the gym to become a bodybuilder for Season 2. They focused on "feral" energy.
- The Accent: If you haven't heard Ramsey’s real British accent, go watch an interview. It’s jarring. They stay in the American accent on set to keep the "vibe" right.
- The Music: Ramsey actually performed the cover of "Take On Me" in Season 2. It’s a direct nod to the game's most famous musical moment.
The Road to Season 3
As we look toward 2026 and 2027, the future of the franchise is already locked in. HBO has confirmed Season 3, and Ramsey is staying put. While some fans campaigned for a recast (suggesting actors like Cailee Spaeny for the older Ellie), the producers have stayed fiercely loyal to Ramsey.
They’ve earned it. By the end of Season 2, the "too young" complaints mostly evaporated, replaced by discussions about the sheer brutality of the "Seattle Day" arcs.
✨ Don't miss: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following Ramsey's career or the show's development, keep an eye on these specific things over the next year:
- Check out Ramsey’s other 2026 projects: They are starring in the Channel 4 drama Maya and the thriller Harmonia. It’s a great way to see their range outside the apocalypse.
- Rewatch Season 2 with the "autism lens": Knowing Ramsey’s diagnosis adds a whole new layer to Ellie’s social cues and how she processes trauma.
- Listen to the Season 2 Soundtrack: The tracks featuring Ramsey’s vocals are officially out, and they’re hauntingly good.
The "controversy" is basically over. Bella Ramsey is Ellie. Whether the "manosphere" likes it or not, they’ve defined one of the most iconic characters in television history by being authentic, weird, and incredibly brave.
Action Steps:
- Watch the "Behind the Scenes" features on Max for Season 2 to see how Ramsey handled the stunt-heavy Seattle sequences.
- Follow Bella’s advocacy work regarding neurodiversity; they’ve become a leading voice for autistic performers in the UK.
- If you're a gamer, go back and play The Last of Us Part II again. You’ll notice the subtle ways the show adjusted the timeline to fit Ramsey's age and energy perfectly.