Bella Ramsey is back as Ellie in the highly anticipated second season of HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us. The young actress, now 21, made waves in the entertainment industry when she was cast at age 13 in the culturally impactful Game of Thrones. Speaking to PulseWire, just after a glamorous red carpet event in London, Bella emphasizes the uniqueness of her journey, as she continues to evolve not only as an actress but also as a person.
Set in a world ravaged by a deadly fungal outbreak that transforms humans into monstrous creatures, The Last of Us portrays a gripping story where Ellie, the character played by Bella, is humanity's last hope due to her immunity. The first season showcased a profound bond between Ellie and Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, which faced a heartbreaking test in season one's dramatic climax. As season two begins five years later, Bella hints at significant tension that will evolve in their relationship.
Having making a decision at a young age to not conform to typical teenage stereotypes, Bella shares that her family relationship was peaceful rather than turbulent. This contrast made portraying the strained father-daughter dynamic with Joel particularly difficult for her. While the narrative delves into complexities surrounding Ellie’s feelings, Bella finds strength and significance in her character's quest for truth and justice.
In her recent discussions, Bella has taken the opportunity to share her experience with autism, a diagnosis she embraced while filming the first season. She expresses a desire to break stigma and promote understanding around neurodiversity, emphasizing that one can thrive in high-profile industries while being openly autistic.
The new season also focuses on Ellie’s romantic relationship with Dina, which has been met with excitement for its authentic representation of queer relationships in media. Bella believes that The Last of Us captures the essence of genuine storytelling without resorting to tokenism.
As the third season has already been commissioned, Bella reflects on the bittersweet reality of growing up on screen. She acknowledges that with every year, the more she realizes the vastness of her ignorance and lessons to be learned, mirroring Ellie’s own awakening journey.
With season two set to premiere on April 14 on Sky and NOW, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this compelling narrative while seeing Bella Ramsey grow both on screen and off.
