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Bella Ramsey recorded their audition for The Last of Us at home in Leicestershire, sending it off with little expectation. At the time, Ramsey was just 17 and had no prior experience with the popular video game that had sold over 20 million copies since its release in 2013. Ultimately, the series creators, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, considered over 100 actors for the role of Ellie, the complex and fierce American protagonist. “Yeah, I’ve been told,” Ramsey acknowledges with a knowing smile.
When Ramsey received a callback from Mazin and Druckmann, they joined the Zoom call from their childhood bedroom. “I’m quite accustomed to submitting self-tapes and then forgetting about it,” they reflect during a meeting in a London photo studio. “But this one felt different; it meant a lot to me. Getting the call that I’d been chosen for Ellie felt surreal. I knew accepting the role would change everything for me.”
The change was indeed significant. Although Ramsey had already made a name for themselves—debuting at age 11 as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, starring in The Worst Witch, and appearing in the BBC/HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials—The Last of Us propelled them into new heights. The premiere episode in 2023 drew an audience of around 40 million and established the series as the most-watched HBO show in Europe, achieving its $100 million budget through a blend of violence and profound emotional scenes, particularly highlighted by the chemistry between Ramsey’s Ellie and Pedro Pascal’s Joel.
With Ramsey’s distinctive look, including a striking center part and doll-like features, their casting was met with quick backlash from some fans who felt they didn’t resemble the video game character. Ramsey, intrigued by the scrutiny, sought out and read the harsh comments. During the show’s promotion, they also publicly identified as non-binary, stating that using they/them pronouns felt most authentic. This announcement attracted even more attention—some of which was negative—reflecting ongoing debates around LGBTQ representation in media.
Fortunately, when the series aired, both it and Ramsey received widespread acclaim. “Ellie is compelling because she embodies the complexity of youth—she’s both innocent and wise beyond her years as well as capable of extreme violence,” Mazin said about the casting decision. “When you find someone who makes it unquestionably right, that was Bella.”
As preparations rise for season two, which will explore unresolved plotlines from the first season, Ramsey has reflected on the changes in their life. The inaugural season followed Ellie and Joel navigating a zombie-infested America, centering on Ellie’s potential to save humanity due to her immunity. It concluded on an emotional cliffhanger—Joel’s lie to Ellie—setting the stage for the coming season’s revelations.
Ramsey has adjusted their expectations about the role’s impact on their life. “I’ve come to realize there’s a significant part of this journey that I can’t control,” they say. “I still ride the Tube and wear my comfy clothes. My daily routine remains the same. I’ve been living in a bit of denial about my circumstances—maybe I can’t fully grasp it, so I just proceed as if nothing has changed.”
They humorously pose, wondering if people might think, “That can’t be Bella Ramsey in that unwashed T-shirt,” only to quip, “Darling, I only wear Prada.” Today, Ramsey is dressed in joggers and a clean blue sweatshirt with Adidas trainers, reflecting their laid-back vibe despite newfound fame.
Ramsey’s sense of normalcy is charmingly incongruent with their status as an A-list actor. “Fame tends to be short-lived—people quickly shift to the next big thing. As season two approaches, I expect the attention to spike, but it will pass,” they remark with a hint of relief.
Interestingly, Ramsey never intended to pursue acting professionally, though they were involved in local drama groups as a child. When cast in Game of Thrones, the experience clicked for them, as they found a sense of belonging that was elusive during their childhood.
Landing the lead role of Mildred Hubble in The Worst Witch marked a pivotal moment for Ramsey. “I watched CBBC growing up, so landing this role felt monumental,” they recall of their time on set. However, the pressure to lead the show affected Ramsey’s mental health, leading to a struggle with anorexia during production due to the burdens of responsibility.
Through counseling, they recovered, turning painful experiences into creative endeavors. Inspired by their journey, Ramsey has completed a film script about a young girl dealing with an eating disorder, titled *Toast and Jam*, which they hope to direct.
Today, there’s a palpable depth to Ramsey, who recognizes a shift towards adulthood from their youthful days of acting. “While growing up, I often felt like I had bypassed the teenage experience, stepping directly into adult responsibilities,” they note.
Now living independently in London, Ramsey is also forming connections with peers their own age, a development they welcome as part of personal growth. “I’ve matured significantly among older individuals, but I’m excited to foster friendships with those my age.”
Adding to their self-discovery, being diagnosed as neurodiverse has offered Ramsey clarity on their experiences. They became aware of this possibility through conversations on set while filming the first season of The Last of Us.
This insight has influenced their acting style. Rather than a method approach, Ramsey gravitates towards immersive preparation, aiming to absorb the world of each character. Their recent work in Catherine Called Birdy showcased this tactic effectively.
Ramsey’s diverse skills, accrued through acting rather than traditional schooling, reveal an intriguing blend of talents, such as broadsword fighting. “You never know when those medieval skills will come in handy!” they joke.
For season two, Ramsey engaged in rigorous training to convincingly portray Ellie’s physicality. “I’m always sore from the workouts, but the grappling and fight scenes felt like fulfilling childhood dreams,” they express happily.
As excitement builds for the second season, Ramsey acknowledges the anticipation surrounding it, aiming not just to meet but to exceed the audience’s expectations. “People might leave feeling emotionally unsettled, but it’s going to be an incredible experience,” they assure.
This season will delve deeper into Ellie’s evolving relationships, notably with Dina, a character portrayed by Isabela Merced. Ramsey notes the importance of LGBTQ representation in the storyline and how it fosters a sense of belonging on set that they hope extends to viewers.
Reflecting on their decision to come out as non-binary, Ramsey expresses mixed feelings about the media attention it garnered. “While I didn’t want it to overshadow my identity, I recognize it has helped others feel represented,” they concede.
“Overall, I think it was beneficial for my personal journey towards authenticity. I’ll talk about it, but I’d prefer it not to be the focal point,” they add, adopting a more relaxed attitude towards their identity.
Recently, Ramsey decided to deactivate their Instagram account, finding inspiration in the grounded demeanor of fellow actors they admire, who remain unfettered by social media. “They are famous for their craft, not for being celebrities,” they point out, recognizing the difference.
Having initially created an Instagram account due to impostor accounts, Ramsey soon found enjoyment in it, contributing to their decision to step away from the platform. “I found myself losing track of time scrolling late into the night, and it wasn’t healthy for me,” they reflect.
With a confirmed third season of The Last of Us on the horizon, Ramsey envisions a future filled with opportunities, especially in writing and directing. Yet, they remain passionate about acting. “If I were to pass away on a film set, I would die happy. Acting is where I want to be until my last breath,” they conclude.
Source
www.theguardian.com