As The Last of Us Season 2 kicks off, actress Bella Ramsey—who plays Ellie, opened up in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the emotional depth of her character and the public scrutiny she’s faced.
💬 Struggling With Body Image Comparisons to Game Ellie
Ramsey candidly shared how difficult it was at first to accept the visual difference between herself and the video game version of Ellie:
“I was fixated on how Ellie looked in the game, on the relief of her muscles… My body type is not like that… It was a challenge for me to absolve myself of responsibility for not looking like computer graphics.”
🎭 Shooting Heavy Scenes Comes Naturally
Despite the emotional weight of the series, Ramsey says the most intense scenes are the easiest to film:
“I know exactly what that scene should be.”
This included the brutal moment of Joel’s murder, which Bella recalls filming on what felt like a completely ordinary day:
“I pretended that nothing was happening, up until the moment it happened. If I think about it too much, then I have too much anxiety and stress.”
📵 Staying Away from Social Media Hate
The British star also addressed the wave of online criticism, particularly from gamers who feel her portrayal doesn’t match the visual expectations set by Naughty Dog’s original Ellie:
“I always knew that one day I would turn them off, I never wanted to have social media in the first place… If I just avoid Twitter and Reddit, which I am doing now, then everything will be fine.”
Critics have focused on Ramsey’s physical appearance over her strong emotional performance, despite scenes like Joel’s death showcasing her incredible acting range.
🎯 In Season 2, Bella Ramsey proves once again that Ellie’s strength lies not in her looks—but in her depth, pain, and defiance.
