Bella Ramsey on Playing Ellie: Autism, Growing Up, and Season 2 of The Last of Us

Sun Oct 19 2025 03:01:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Bella Ramsey discusses the complex relationship dynamics in The Last of Us season two, her journey with autism, and the evolving portrayal of queer relationships in media.

In a recent interview, Bella Ramsey reflects on reprising her role as Ellie in The Last of Us season two, her experience growing up in the public eye, and her journey of embracing autism. She shares insights on her character's strained relationship with Joel, the authenticity of representing queer storylines, and her pride in speaking about her neurodiversity.

Bella Ramsey is back as Ellie in the highly anticipated season two of HBO's The Last of Us, and her journey since being cast at just 13 in Game of Thrones has been remarkable. During a discussion with BBC Newsbeat, the 21-year-old actor shared insights about her character's evolving dynamics in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a deadly parasitic fungus.

Ramsey, who identifies with gender-neutral pronouns, recently attended the London premiere of the latest season and expressed her unique experience of growing up in front of the audience. "I think it's quite a unique experience," she said, reflecting on life-changing moments since she made the decision to not be a "typical teenager" at the age of 11.

The character of Ellie, who carries the hope for humanity's survival due to her immunity, finds herself in a sustainability of relationships, notably with Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. Season two resumes five years after the events where Joel's choices led to significant tension between him and Ellie after a life-altering journey. "It was quite horrible to play," Ramsey admitted about the complicated nature of Ellie’s feelings towards Joel.

Ramsey also revealed the role of her autism in shaping her perspective while portraying Ellie. Having publicly identified as autistic during the filming of the first season, she shared her views on the stigma surrounding autism, encouraging openness and advocacy. "I'm very proud to be able to say it out loud and also just to bring more awareness," she emphasized.

Furthermore, season two will dive deeper into Ellie's relationship with Dina, marking a significant aspect of the story. Ramsey appreciates the way The Last of Us approaches queer storylines authentically, noting, "It really feels like it's just a part of the story."

As fans eagerly await the launch of the new season on April 14, The Last of Us has already been renewed for a third season, ensuring that Ramsey's journey and growth will continue to resonate on-screen. With admiration, she reflected, "I feel very grateful for that," adding, "the more that you grow up, you just realise how little you know."