At 17 years old, Bella Ramsey was just another hopeful teenager sending in a self-taped audition for a big TV role — albeit a slightly more momentous one than most. That tape, recorded in the quiet of their parents’ home in Leicestershire, would eventually launch them into global fame as Ellie, the fiercely resilient lead in HBO’s The Last of Us. Now 21, with season two on screens and a third season confirmed, Ramsey reflects on a life transformed — and how, despite the fame, they remain remarkably grounded.
Landing the Role of a Lifetime
Though they had never played the post-apocalyptic video game that inspired the series, Ramsey knew The Last of Us was a big deal. After competing against more than 100 actors for the coveted role, Ramsey landed the part — and life, as they knew it, would never be the same.
“When I got the phone call saying they wanted me to be Ellie, it did feel surreal for a few days,” they recall. “I understood that if I said yes – which obviously I was going to – my life was going to change.”
READ MORE: Gerard Kennedy, Gold Logie-Winning Australian Television Icon, Dies Aged 93
Change it did. Viewed by 40 million people in its first season alone, The Last of Us became HBO’s most popular show ever in Europe, earning critical acclaim for its brutal yet tender storytelling — and particularly for the chemistry between Ramsey’s Ellie and Pedro Pascal’s Joel.
Navigating Fame, Trolls, and Identity
The transition to global fame wasn’t seamless. Upon their casting, Ramsey faced a barrage of criticism from some fans who insisted they didn’t “look enough” like the video game’s Ellie. At the same time, Ramsey publicly came out as non-binary, a revelation that fueled further discussion — and, unfortunately, vitriol — from corners of the internet resistant to LGBTQ+ representation.
“There was immediate and persistent criticism,” Ramsey says, remembering how they made the mistake of seeking out the nastiest comments. But ultimately, the work spoke for itself. As co-creator Craig Mazin later said, when Ramsey auditioned, it was clear: “Oh, we’re done. Everything’s OK.”
Despite the attention, Ramsey insists their day-to-day life remains refreshingly ordinary. “I still get the tube. I go out in my joggers, in my ripped T-shirt that needs a wash,” they laugh. “I’m sort of in denial about it.”
A Journey Through Acting and Adversity
Ramsey’s acting career started young with a standout role as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. Their early years also included starring in CBBC’s The Worst Witch and a role in His Dark Materials. But fame came with challenges. During the filming of The Worst Witch, Ramsey developed anorexia, a struggle they attribute to the pressures of leading a major show as a young teenager.
That difficult period has inspired them creatively: Ramsey has written a film script, Toast and Jam, centered on a young girl battling an eating disorder. It’s a deeply personal project they hope to direct.
“There’s now an element of me looking back and being like, ‘Oh, I was never a teenager,’” they reflect. “I had to show up on set every day and be responsible and have this very adult job.”
Finding Belonging, Making Friends, and Embracing Neurodiversity
Long comfortable in adult company, Ramsey is now finding joy in friendships with peers. Living independently in London for the first time, they are building a small but meaningful social circle.
Part of Ramsey’s self-understanding came through a diagnosis of autism, a process that began during the filming of season one of The Last of Us. “I’ve always thought maybe I was autistic,” they say. “Getting diagnosed has been so helpful for me. Like, every day.”
Medieval Skills and Modern Triumphs
From broadsword fighting to horseback riding, Ramsey has picked up unexpected skills through their acting career — talents that, they joke, might come in handy if the medieval era ever returns.
“You never know when the medieval times are going to come again. And when they do, I’ll be ready,” they say with a grin.
Season two of The Last of Us required a different kind of preparation: Brazilian jujitsu and intense physical training to make Ellie’s fights against snarling infected foes believable. Ramsey describes the training as painful but fulfilling: “It felt like I was living a childhood dream.”
The Emotional Wild Ride of Season Two
The second season promises even higher emotional stakes, focusing on Ellie’s complex relationship with Dina (played by Isabela Merced) and expanding queer storylines that reflect the game’s original vision.
Ramsey acknowledges the emotional toll the new episodes might take on viewers. “People are going to be really happy,” they pause, before correcting themselves: “Well, not happy. More just emotionally traumatised and shocked. It’s certainly a wild ride.”
Living Authentically, Stepping Back From the Spotlight
Coming out as non-binary was a liberating but complicated step. While Ramsey sometimes wishes they hadn’t made it public due to the intense scrutiny, they recognize the positive impact it has had for others seeking representation.
“So it’s been a mixed bag, but overall, it was a good thing,” they say. “Now, I’ll talk about it, but I don’t want it to be the focus any more.”
In another effort to reclaim privacy, Ramsey recently deactivated their Instagram account, inspired by the likes of Jesse Eisenberg and Kit Harington — actors they admire for their low-key approach to fame.
“I was so susceptible to the dopamine hits of scrolling,” they admit. “And I didn’t need that in my life any more.”
Looking Ahead: A Future of Boundless Possibility
With The Last of Us confirmed for a third season and new creative projects on the horizon, Ramsey is excited for what lies ahead — but their ambitions are refreshingly simple.
“If I passed away on a film set, I’d be happy,” they say, smiling. “I would like to be acting until my last breath, for sure.”
In a world where celebrity often overshadows craft, Bella Ramsey stands out: resilient, grounded, endlessly curious — and, with sword and script in hand, ready for whatever the future holds.
