Bella Ramsey, who gained international fame for her role as Ellie in HBO's breakout series 'The Last of Us,' recently opened up about her experiences as the show prepares for its highly anticipated second season. Fresh off the red carpet at the London premiere, the now 21-year-old actress reflected on her journey from a young actor in Nottingham, England, to one of the stars of a critically acclaimed adaptation of the popular PlayStation video game. "I made a real decision when I was, like, 11 that I wasn't gonna be like a typical teenager," Bella shared in a candid interview with BBC Newsbeat. This statement underscores the remarkable path Bella has taken, as she was cast in the world-famous series 'Game of Thrones' at just 13 years old.

'The Last of Us,' which captures a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a deadly parasitic fungus known as cordyceps, continues to resonate with audiences globally. In this dystopian narrative, Ellie, played by Bella, emerges as humanity's beacon of hope due to her immunity to the infection. Season one delves into the touching yet complex relationship between Ellie and Joel, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, as they navigate a treacherous journey across the United States. The emotional weight of their bond is heightened by the season's shocking conclusion, where Joel makes a harrowing decision to protect Ellie from a fate that would require her sacrifice for a cure. "When she wakes up, Joel lies to her about what happened, and season one's cliffhanger leaves viewers with the strong impression that Ellie is aware of the deception," Bella explains.

As season two picks up five years later, Bella acknowledges the inevitable tension between Ellie and Joel, stemming from the past events. "Obviously there's tension in that relationship," she states. "It was quite horrible to play," reflecting on the emotional challenges of portraying such a conflicted relationship. Bella's own childhood was notably different; growing up, she was determined to maintain a close-knit relationship with her family, stating, "So I never went through that with my dad. Me and my dad are great." This contrast adds depth to her portrayal of Ellie, who is navigating her own tumultuous emotions.

At 19 years old in season two, Ellie is not far off from Bella's own age when filming took place, lending an intriguing layer of authenticity to the performance. Bella expressed excitement about returning to the character, noting, "It's so fun getting to step back into a character but with kind of new revelations about her and about me in my own life." The filming of this season faced delays due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023, further enriching Bella's personal growth during the hiatus.

Bella has also bravely shared that she was diagnosed with autism while working on the first series, a revelation she had previously approached with nuance. "Actually, no, that's a lie. I did, because I said that I was neurodiverse before, and then I was like, 'Why don't I just say what it actually is, which is, yeah, I'm autistic,'" she confessed. She believes that by being open about her diagnosis, she can help destigmatize autism, stating, "You can be in industries like this and openly say that you're autistic... I'm very proud to be able to say it out loud and also just to bring more awareness."

As a non-binary individual, Bella also emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in media. Season two of 'The Last of Us' will further explore Ellies same-sex relationship with Dina, portrayed by Isabella Merced. Bella appreciates how the show handles queer storylines, saying, "It doesn't feel like it's like representation added on top to check a boxit really feels like it's just a part of the story." This commitment to authentic storytelling resonates deeply with viewers, adding to the series' acclaim.

Encouragingly, 'The Last of Us' has already been greenlit for a third season due to the positive reception of season two. For Bella, this means that both she and Ellie will continue to grow up in the public eye. "It comes with pros and cons, but it's kind of lovely that my growth and development has been immortalized on-screen," she reflects with gratitude. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that come with growing up in such a spotlight, noting, "The more that you grow up, you just realize how little you know." This sentiment mirrors Ellie's own journey as she grapples with her identity and relationships. The new season of 'The Last of Us' is set to premiere on Sky and the NOW streaming service on Monday, April 14.