It’s safe to say that HBO’s adaption of The Last of Us was a resounding success. It was adored by critics and fans alike and much praise was directed at the show’s lead actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. However, some viewers initially had mixed feelings about Bella Ramsey’s casting. And if the reaction to some new The Last of Us season 2 fan art is anything to go by, the debate is set to continue.
Reddit user u/sybilbloodyblimp took to The Last of Us subreddit to share fan art depicting Bella Ramsey’s Ellie in Season 2. Season 2 of the hit TV show will be based on 2020’s The Last of Us Part II. However, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have confirmed it will take more than one season to cover the entirety of the second game.
In The Last of Us Part II, players assume the role of Ellie. She is now a young adult living in the post-apocalyptic world still plagued by the deadly Cordyceps fungus. After experiencing an horrific event, Ellie sets out on a mission of revenge against an unknown group of hostile survivors. This leads her on a journey of tragedy and sacrifice. Along the way, she confronts challenges that test her physical and emotional strength and loyalties.
Ellie is five years older in Part II and her character design in the game was adapted accordingly. This is mimicked in u/sybilbloodyblimp’s fan art which shows Bella Ramsey as a noticeably older Ellie. Check it out below:
The fan art sparked debate about Ramsey’s suitability to portray the Part II version of Ellie. One user commented: “She’s gonna be great in season 2. I had a hard time picturing Bella Ramsey brutally murdering people but i’m sure she’ll do great!”. Another responded: “It was the David episode where I could see part 2 Ellie coming through. That was when I knew she could pull it off.”
But not everyone agrees. One user said: “Bella’s acting in that episode made me cringe. I really don’t know if she can pull [off] Part 2 Ellie.” User u/FarFromCrying999 said they felt Bella Ramsey “looks a tad bit young”. Other fans concurred. “Agreed, she did so f***ing awsome [sic] portraying 14 year old Ellie, but I struggle to see that image for her appearance as a 19 year old”, said u/GDrat. Another user seconded their opinion, stating: “I love her, but I still think she looks too young to play adult Ellie. Sorry, just my personal opinion.”
While the never-ending debate about Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie may feel redundant at this point, it’s clearly still an issue for some viewers. With that being said, we can’t wait to see what she does with the Part II‘s grizzled version of Ellie when the next season finally arrives.
Are you excited to see how Ellie is portrayed in season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
