Bella, who identifies as non-binary and was recently diagnosed with autism, shares insights from her personal and professional life during an interview with BBC Newsbeat. The young talent, who first became famous at age 13, has experienced significant growth since being cast as Ellie in HBO's adaptation of the beloved video game.
The Last of Us, set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity's survival hangs by a thread, features Bella as Ellie, a unique girl immune to a deadly infection transforming people into zombie-like creatures. The character's arc and complex relationship with Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, takes center stage in Season Two, which begins five years after the harrowing conclusion of the first season.
Ramsey reflects on the personal toll of portraying conflict in the father-daughter-like bond between Ellie and Joel, a theme she connects to her own life where she has enjoyed a healthy relationship with her father. "It was quite horrible to play," she reveals, as the character must grapple with layers of trauma and deception.
Ramsey's journey has intertwined with her increasing openness about her autism diagnosis. Deciding to embrace her true self publicly, she aims to dismantle stigma surrounding neurodiversity, hoping her visibility encourages others to share their experiences without fear. "Autism comes in all different shapes and sizes," she asserts, and reveals her determination to authentically represent neurodiverse characters in media.
In addition to her personal challenges, Season Two of The Last of Us delves into Ellie's same-sex relationship with Dina, further enhancing its depiction of queer narratives. Ramsey emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in portraying LGBTQ experiences, citing that these relationships should not merely serve to fulfill representation quotas but instead be woven genuinely into the fabric of the narrative.
As Season Two approaches its launch on April 14th, the future seems bright for Bella Ramsey. With the show's success leading to a third season, she expresses a sense of gratitude for her career trajectory, stating, "It’s lovely that my growth and development has been immortalized on-screen." Yet she acknowledges the bittersweet reality of growing older, reflecting on the wisdom that comes with age: "The more that you grow up, you just realize how little you know."
As Bella continues to navigate her path in the public eye, she remains committed to using her platform to raise awareness about identity, acceptance, and the power of authentic storytelling in the world of television.
The Last of Us, set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity's survival hangs by a thread, features Bella as Ellie, a unique girl immune to a deadly infection transforming people into zombie-like creatures. The character's arc and complex relationship with Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, takes center stage in Season Two, which begins five years after the harrowing conclusion of the first season.
Ramsey reflects on the personal toll of portraying conflict in the father-daughter-like bond between Ellie and Joel, a theme she connects to her own life where she has enjoyed a healthy relationship with her father. "It was quite horrible to play," she reveals, as the character must grapple with layers of trauma and deception.
Ramsey's journey has intertwined with her increasing openness about her autism diagnosis. Deciding to embrace her true self publicly, she aims to dismantle stigma surrounding neurodiversity, hoping her visibility encourages others to share their experiences without fear. "Autism comes in all different shapes and sizes," she asserts, and reveals her determination to authentically represent neurodiverse characters in media.
In addition to her personal challenges, Season Two of The Last of Us delves into Ellie's same-sex relationship with Dina, further enhancing its depiction of queer narratives. Ramsey emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in portraying LGBTQ experiences, citing that these relationships should not merely serve to fulfill representation quotas but instead be woven genuinely into the fabric of the narrative.
As Season Two approaches its launch on April 14th, the future seems bright for Bella Ramsey. With the show's success leading to a third season, she expresses a sense of gratitude for her career trajectory, stating, "It’s lovely that my growth and development has been immortalized on-screen." Yet she acknowledges the bittersweet reality of growing older, reflecting on the wisdom that comes with age: "The more that you grow up, you just realize how little you know."
As Bella continues to navigate her path in the public eye, she remains committed to using her platform to raise awareness about identity, acceptance, and the power of authentic storytelling in the world of television.
