It’s 2016, and we first see Bella Ramsey as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones! The moment we saw Ramsey as Mormont, we immediately fell in love with them. How they portrayed the character’s valour, effectiveness, and commanding presence was just flawless. So, what’s happening now? Ramsey — now playing Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 — is facing a tremendous amount of hate from both the fanbases of the video game and the TV adaptation.
Season 2 has emerged as one of the best TV shows of 2025. However, things are definitely not going in Ramsey’s favour, with the growing hate and criticism surrounding their appearance and portrayal of Ellie in the show.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 21-year-old actor discussed the online pressure they have experienced. Many fans have fixated on their looks, drawing comparisons to Ellie’s video game counterpart. Ramsey revealed that the persistent commentary and criticism led them to step away from social media sites such as Twitter and Reddit.
The hate campaign against Bella Ramsey began back in 2023, when HBO’s The Last of Us first premiered. At the time, a noticeable section of viewers didn’t accept Ramsey as Ellie, arguing they didn’t resemble the character from the video games, particularly Part II, where Ellie is older and has a more muscular physique. Some fans had specific actors in mind whom they felt resembled the game character more closely.
The backlash against Ramsey escalated after Season 2’s premiere, primarily due to the actor coming out as non-binary and Kaitlyn Dever appearing as Abby (the main antagonist). A significant section of the game’s fanbase wanted Dever as Ellie, as they felt she looked closer to the video game version of the character.
Some viewers feel that Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie doesn’t capture the essence of the game character. They describe them as “less mature,” “loud,” “messy,” or “bratty” compared to the game’s version, which they saw as more “likable,” “funny,” and “sarcastic.” Some also feel their acting isn’t as strong as other cast members’.
A disturbing aspect of the hate includes misogyny and transphobia. Ramsey, who is non-binary, has been deliberately misgendered and subjected to hateful comments about their appearance. Much of this negativity seems rooted in a desire for female characters to conform to conventional beauty standards.
Despite criticism from a vocal minority, many viewers and critics have praised Ramsey’s performance for capturing the emotional depth and resilience of Ellie. The show’s creators have also defended Ramsey’s casting, emphasizing the importance of embodying the character’s spirit rather than achieving a perfect physical resemblance.
Bella Ramsey is undoubtedly a highly talented and naturally gifted actor. They’ve given everything — and then some — to their portrayal of Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2. Yes, they look nothing like Naughty Dog’s Ellie, but they’ve surely done one hell of a job capturing the character’s spirit and heart. Which is why the ongoing, over-the-top hate campaign against the actor is just heartbreaking to witness. Stay tuned for more updates.
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