For Bella Ramsey, fame didn’t come overnight—but when it arrived, it changed everything. Known to most as Ellie from the HBO blockbuster series The Last of Us, Ramsey’s journey from a modest home in Leicestershire to international stardom is as inspiring as it is unexpected.

Their audition? Just a self-tape filmed at home, sent off with little expectation. Ramsey, then 17, hadn’t even played the video game the series was based on, despite its massive success with over 20 million copies sold. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was the character—Ellie—fiery, complex, vulnerable. And Bella fit that bill better than the 100-plus other actors the show’s creators considered.

“When I got the call, it felt surreal,” Ramsey recalls. “I knew saying yes would change my life. And it did.”

Bella wasn’t new to acting. Audiences first noticed them as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, a fierce young leader who stood out even in a crowded cast. They also starred in The Worst Witch and appeared in His Dark Materials. But The Last of Us? That was another level. Within weeks, the show became HBO’s most-watched series in Europe, drawing millions globally. The chemistry between Bella’s Ellie and Pedro Pascal’s Joel quickly became a fan obsession.

Of course, the spotlight came with its shadows. From online criticism about not resembling the video game’s Ellie to invasive commentary after Bella publicly shared that they identify as nonbinary, the early days of fame were tough. “At first, I read everything people were saying about me online. And a lot of it hurt,” Ramsey admits.

Still, once the show aired, most critics went quiet. Ramsey’s performance was too compelling to deny. Co-creator Craig Mazin summed it up best: “What makes Ellie so fascinating is her mix of innocence and wisdom, vulnerability and strength. And with Bella, it just clicked—we knew we were done searching.”

Now with season two around the corner, Bella is handling things differently. They’re not chasing control anymore. “I’ve realised there’s a lot I can’t change. So I just carry on. I still take the tube, still wear joggers and ripped T-shirts. It’s weirdly grounding.”

That’s not a celebrity façade either. Spend time with Bella, and you’ll see a 21-year-old who’s sharp, funny, and refreshingly down-to-earth. They’re not trying to impress anyone—they’re just being themselves.

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Interestingly, Bella never planned to act. Their family wasn’t in the industry, though they did dabble in local theatre. Bella joined a drama club at four, more to follow their sister than pursue a dream. “I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be an actor,” they say. “It just sort of happened.”

It wasn’t until their time on Game of Thrones that something clicked. “I always found it hard to make friends as a kid. But on set, with adults, I felt at home. I belonged.”

That feeling was tested during The Worst Witch. Ramsey was just 13, working long days away from home and trying to meet the expectations of being a lead. It was during this time that they developed anorexia—something they now openly discuss. “I wanted to be a good example to everyone. But that pressure was heavy,” they say.

Through counselling, Bella recovered, and that experience led them to write their first script—Toast and Jam—a personal story about a 14-year-old dealing with an eating disorder. “It’s done now. Really done. Ready-to-send-out done,” they laugh.

They’ve grown a lot since those early days, but some challenges remain. “Sometimes I think, ‘Was I ever a teenager?’ I jumped from childhood to adulthood so fast.”

Still, moving to London and finding a circle of friends their own age has helped. “For a long time, I only felt comfortable around adults. But now I’m learning to just be a 21-year-old. It’s nice to finally feel that connection.”

Another recent chapter in Ramsey’s self-understanding came in 2023, when they were diagnosed as neurodiverse. A casual conversation on the set of The Last of Us led to a deeper reflection. “Someone just assumed I was autistic. At first, I brushed it off. But it stayed with me. And when I got diagnosed, everything made more sense. It’s helped me so much.”

That clarity may also explain why Bella is drawn to immersive acting. They’re not into method acting—they just want to be in the world they’re portraying. In Catherine Called Birdy, a Lena Dunham film set in medieval England, Bella embraced every detail. “I didn’t care about the major historical events—I just wanted to know what lunch would have been like for a peasant. That’s what made it real for me.”

Lena Dunham, who directed the film, compared Bella’s range to that of Tilda Swinton. “Bella can shapeshift. They’re timeless,” she told Vogue.

And yet, even with all these accomplishments, Ramsey is still grounded. They never attended traditional school full-time, instead studying online and even pursuing environmental science through the Open University. Along the way, they’ve picked up some unusual skills—like horse riding and broadsword fighting. “I’ve got medieval skills,” they laugh. “If those times come back, I’ll be ready.”

Physical training was a big part of preparing for the second season of The Last of Us too. Brazilian jujitsu helped them sell the idea that someone 5ft 1in could hold their own in a zombie apocalypse. “It was great for me. I never had those playful fights with friends as a kid. This felt like a second chance.”

As the new season gets closer, Bella is excited. “The goal wasn’t to match the first season—it was to surpass it. I think people will be blown away,” they say. Then they pause. “Actually, not happy. Emotionally traumatised might be more accurate.”

This season also deepens Ellie’s connection with Dina, introducing more queer storylines. For Bella, representation matters. “Everyone feels like they belong on our set. And I hope viewers feel that too.”

Coming out as nonbinary was a big step—and one they now view with mixed emotions. “Part of me wishes I hadn’t, just because I didn’t want it to be a big deal. But people have told me it helped them, so that makes it worth it.”

These days, Ramsey is stepping away from the public eye a bit. They recently deactivated their Instagram, inspired by actors like Jesse Eisenberg and Kit Harington—talents they admire for letting their work speak for itself. “They weren’t chasing fame. They were just good at what they did.”

Bella started using Instagram to fight off impersonators. But it became a distraction. “It messed with my sleep, my focus. I didn’t need it anymore.”

As for the future, a third season of The Last of Us is already on the cards. Ramsey wants to keep acting—but also hopes to write and direct. “If I passed away on a film set, I’d be happy,” they say. “I want to act till my last breath.”

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