The Last of Us: Bella Ramsey talks season 2, autism, and growing up on screen

Bella Ramsey is stepping back into the role of Ellie in the much-anticipated second season of The Last of Us. At just 21 years old, Bella has already made a significant mark in the acting world, having first gained fame at the age of 13 for their role in the iconic series Game of Thrones. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, Bella shared their excitement about the new season, which premiered recently in London. 'I think it's quite a unique experience,' they said, reflecting on their journey as an actor. The Last of Us is based on a popular video game and is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly fungus has turned most of humanity into zombie-like creatures. Ellie, played by Bella, is unique because she is immune to the infection, making her crucial for finding a cure. In the first season, viewers witnessed the development of a father-daughter-like bond between Ellie and Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. Their journey across the United States was filled with danger, and in a heartbreaking twist, Joel made a choice to protect Ellie that left viewers questioning the morality of his actions. As the new season begins, five years have passed, and Bella notes that there is still tension between Ellie and Joel. 'It was quite horrible to play,' they admitted, highlighting the emotional complexity of their characters' relationship. Bella's own upbringing has influenced their portrayal of Ellie. They shared that they made a conscious decision not to be a 'typical teenager,' which has shaped their interactions with their parents. 'So I never went through that with my dad,' Bella explained, emphasizing the strong bond they share. This made it all the more challenging to portray the conflict between Ellie and Joel. Bella believes that Ellie is justified in her feelings, and this adds depth to the character. In the second season, Ellie is now 19, and Bella has experienced significant personal growth since filming began in 2021. The production of the second season faced delays due to the Hollywood strikes, but Bella is eager to explore the character further. 'It's so fun getting to step back into a character but with kind of new revelations about her and about me in my own life,' they said. Bella has also opened up about being diagnosed with autism while working on the first season. They expressed that discussing their autism has allowed them to feel more liberated. 'You can be in industries like this and openly say that you're autistic,' Bella stated, advocating for greater awareness and acceptance. They want to challenge the stigma surrounding autism and show that it comes in many forms. Additionally, Bella identifies as non-binary, and the new season will delve deeper into Ellie's same-sex relationship with Dina, played by Isabella Merced. Bella remarked, 'I feel like we're still figuring out how to portray queer storylines in the media in a way that feels very authentic. ' They believe that The Last of Us successfully integrates this relationship into the narrative without it feeling forced. Following the positive reception of the second season, The Last of Us has already been renewed for a third season, ensuring that Bella and Ellie will continue to grow in the public eye. Bella reflected on this experience, saying, 'It's kind of lovely that my growth and development has been immortalised on-screen. ' However, they also acknowledged the challenges of growing up in the spotlight. 'The more that you grow up, you just realise how little you know,' Bella shared, highlighting a universal truth about the journey of growing up. The second season of The Last of Us is set to launch on Sky and NOW on April 14, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Ellie's story.