Video game adaptations can be hit or miss, yet HBO's The Last of Us won over even the most skeptical fans by staying true to the spirit of the game while expanding its world. But unfortunately, series star Bella Ramsey didn't have the easiest introduction, facing intense fan backlash and criticism over their casting early on.
Ramsey portrays the main character, Ellie, in the hit post-apocalyptic drama series, and when news broke that they had been cast, reactions among fans were immediate and polarized. Some praised their acting potential, while others criticized their appearance and questioned whether they could bring the beloved video game character to life.
With the show now two seasons in, Ramsey is opening up in a new interview about the mixed fan reactions they've received and sharing how they’ve navigated the pressure of playing such an iconic character. Deadline got the opportunity to talk with Ramsey, and one of the questions the news outlet asked was how they personally deal with the responsibility of portraying a character that means a lot to so many fans.
Ramsey starts off by acknowledging that they know it's a big deal to play someone so loved, but it’s not something they constantly think about. They believe that fans are free to feel however they want about a character or the performance. They respect that people may love or dislike certain portrayals, and they're okay with that since they believe everyone’s opinion is valid.
But instead of dwelling on that pressure constantly, they try to focus on doing their job to the best of their ability, rather than trying to please everyone or control opinions. In other words, Ramsey is aware of the mixed fan reactions to their Ellie portrayal, but that's not something they let overwhelm them.
"It’s a real responsibility to play someone who means so much to people, but it’s not something that I’m actively thinking about. I maintain the feeling that people can have an emotional connection to a character or not, and however people feel, whatever people’s opinions are about how I or anyone else in the show is playing a character, I think everyone’s entitled to that — to feel however they want to feel about it. I just try and do the best that I can."
Ramsey then goes on to explain how they notice and value the positive feedback from fans, sharing how rewarding it is to meet people in person who express how much Ellie has meant to them. They love hearing that their portrayal has had a positive and lasting impact, which makes them feel honored.
"Whenever I meet a game fan, and they’re like, ‘Oh, I really loved what you did with Ellie in the show,’ that always really means a lot if I know that this character has meant as something to someone for an extended amount of time, and then they’re happy to see me. It feels really special, the idea that you can have an impact on someone in this way."
In my opinion, Ramsey has a good approach to how they view fan reactions. By focusing on doing their best, respecting differing opinions, and valuing the meaningful connections with fans, Ramsey shows a mature and grounded way of handling both praise and criticism. You've got to respect it!
The Last of Us season 3 is officially happening and will continue to adapt The Last of Us Part II video game. However, the story will shift its focus from Ellie to Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). An official premiere date has not been set yet, but HBO has confirmed a 2027 release. Besides Ramsey and Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Spencer Lord, Danny Ramirez, Jeffrey Wright, and Alanna Ubach are all expected to return for the third season.