Since the very beginning, even before HBO's adaption of The Last of Us released, Bella Ramsay was the topic of many heated discussions. We've just got some new leaked pictures from the set of season 2 – and to the surprise of literally no one, we're faced with the same negativity yet again.
The Last of Us is one of many video game adaptation these days and, has been generally received great feedback from both old and new fans (jealous, Witcher?). The second season is in full production right now, covering the second game – in parts, at least. The Last of Us Part 2 is going to be split into two seasons in HBO's version, but we're set to see the devastating story adapted in 2025.
The kicker? As always, whenever new images from set leak, there's the same discussion over and over again: Bella Ramsay doesn't look like Ellie, the casting was a mistake, the season is going to be trash, yada yada.
"Bella Looks Too Young", "Bella's Too Short" – Get A Grip
As someone who loves The Last of Us with all of my heart and someone who's still kind of salty and emotionally devastated from the second game, I get the love for Ellie. I really do, and I know what it feels like to be deeply invested in a story and wanting it to be perfectly adapted. I get where the criticism is coming from, and I still think the reaction to the leaked images is insane.
more ellie and dina in #thelastofushbo pic.twitter.com/tpQPlPmQIk
— The Last of Us News (@TheLastofUsNews) July 9, 2024
Ellie is the obvious fan-favorite in The Last of Us and has been since we first met her back in 2013, so it doesn't come as a huge surprise that fans wanted an actress that resembles her a bit more. That's valid. It's embarrassing, though, to already cry about leaked, pixelated images and yammering on about how the second season is going to be trash.
Remember, before the first season came out? We've all had the exact same discussion – Bella Ramsay doesn't resemble game-Ellie enough, so the whole show is going to be bad. Cue: the show released and Bella delivered one hell of a performance. Game-Ellie and show-Ellie do differ in more than one way, but Ramsay's appearance being such a huge topic for so many people is mind-blowing to the other half of fans.
The community seems to be split between those who don't really care that Ramsay's not a picture-perfect Ellie in appearance and appreciate Bella for their acting prowess, and those who want a closer physical resemblance (like, I'll admit as much, Kaitlyn Dever – Abby in the show – absolutely has).
Following the leaked images, the discussion has begun anew, both on Twitter/X and Reddit. What a nineteen-year-old is supposed to look like has been a controversial topic for itself, which is kind of rich, considering Ramsay is twenty years old.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie in HBO's The Last Of Us Season 2 by u/traggbrought-me-back in thelastofus
So far, it doesn't seem like people are inclined to change their minds and instead prefer doomsday thinking. Let's all hope they'll have a change of hearts with the release of the second season.
What do you think about the upcoming season? Do you agree that Ramsay was a miscast, or do you trust in the cast and crew of the HBO adaptation? Let us know in the comments!