Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie in the critically acclaimed HBO series “The Last of Us,” recently opened up about her experience working on the show.
Having started filming when she was 17, she admitted to being in denial when the production, which lasted nearly a year, came to an end.
Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann recently addressed a growing concern among “The Last of Us” fans during a virtual press conference.
The now 19-year-old actress shared her thoughts on the emotional finale, the challenges of filming, and the friendships she formed during the show’s production.
Explosive Finale: A New Chapter
The explosive finale of “The Last of Us” has left fans eagerly anticipating the second season.
The show, created by Emmy winner Craig Mazin and the game’s Neil Druckmann, is based on the post-apocalyptic game of the same name.
The season’s final episode saw Joel (Pedro Pascal) realizing that Ellie (Ramsey) would have to die to save humanity.
He ultimately saves her without giving her a choice and hides the truth from her, setting up a second season where Ellie is in the dark, and Joel’s lies will catch up with him.
Emotional Experiences and Skyrocketing Fame
Ramsey admitted that watching the show has been an emotional experience for her.
Over the past few months, her profile has risen significantly, and she has been open about her nonbinary identity (using she/they pronouns) and speaking out against homophobic trolls who criticized Ellie’s queerness in the series.
Bonding with Pedro Pascal
During her appearance on ITV’s “The Jonathan Ross Show,” Bella Ramsey spoke fondly of her friendship with co-star Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel in “The Last of Us.”
She described Pascal as the “chief gum hider” and said she learned to conceal chewing gum from him.
Reflecting on “Game of Thrones”
Ramsey also mentioned their shared history of appearing in “Game of Thrones,” albeit in different seasons.
She played Lyanna Mormont, the Lady of Bear Island.
She admitted that she hadn’t watched the series, as she was too young at the time and didn’t grow up in a household that watched much TV.
Anticipation for Season Two
Fans eager for the second season of “The Last of Us” will have to be patient, as filming is not expected to begin until the end of 2023 or early 2024.
This means the new season is likely to premiere in late 2024 or early 2025.
Despite her growing fame and busy schedule, Ramsey remains committed to her role as Ellie and looks forward to returning to set.
Addressing Recasting Rumors
Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann recently addressed a growing concern among “The Last of Us” fans during a virtual press conference.
Some viewers believed that Bella Ramsey would be recast in the second season due to the five-year time jump between the events of the original game and its sequel, “The Last of Us Part II.”
However, Mazin and Druckmann have firmly stated that they have no intention of recasting Ramsey.
The duo pointed out that Ramsey is currently 19 years old, the same age as Ellie in “The Last of Us Part II,” and she will be even older when filming for the second season begins.
Mazin recalled how some fans initially complained about Ramsey’s appearance when she joined the production at age 17, but he urged them to watch the show and see her performance for themselves.
He acknowledged the anxiety that fans have over the show’s faithfulness to the games, assuring them that he shares the same concerns and that they are being discussed and considered.
Season Two: Differences and Continuity
Mazin confirmed that the second season of “The Last of Us” would be different from “The Last of Us Part II,” just as the first season differed from the original game.
He explained that the show would have its unique aspects, sometimes radically different from the game, while other times barely noticeable.
Ultimately, Mazin and Druckmann want to create their version of the story, which will continue to star Bella Ramsey as Ellie.
Neil Druckmann spoke about the fortune of finding the right actresses for the role of Ellie, both in the original game with Ashley Johnson and in the TV adaptation with Bella Ramsey.
He described the casting process as capturing “lightning in a bottle” twice.
Druckmann emphasized that the only scenario in which they would consider recasting Ramsey would be if she no longer wanted to work with them – and even then, they might not grant her that request.
Looking to the Future
As Bella Ramsey continues to navigate her newfound fame and prepare for the second season of “The Last of Us,” she remains grounded and focused on her craft.
With a strong support system in her co-stars and a desire to improve as an actor, Ramsey is sure to have a bright future ahead of her in the world of entertainment.
Article In a Snapshot:
Bella Ramsey reflects on her experience working on “The Last of Us” and her growing fame, while also speaking out against homophobic trolls who criticized Ellie’s queerness in the series.
Ramsey has formed a strong bond with her co-star Pedro Pascal, with whom she shares a history of appearing in “Game of Thrones.”
Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have no intention of recasting Ramsey in the second season, despite concerns from some fans due to the five-year time jump between the events of the original game and its sequel.
The second season of “The Last of Us” will be different from “The Last of Us Part II,” with Mazin and Druckmann aiming to create their unique vision for the story, continuing to star Ramsey as Ellie.
Ramsey remains grounded and focused on her craft as she prepares for the second season of “The Last of Us” and navigates her newfound fame.
