You might hate Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2, but that just proves how real and powerful Bella Ramsey’s acting really is.

Ever watched a performance so good that it leaves you genuinely frustrated with a character? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us Season 2. The show is back after two years, and it’s safe to say that excitement is running quite high at the moment.

But just as the first episode of the new season premiered, fans began questioning the 21-year-old actress and her portrayal of Ellie. But this reaction might just be the biggest compliment for her acting.

Bella Ramsey in a still from The Last of Us | Credits: HBO

In the world of The Last of Us, Ellie’s life has never been easy, so it’s understandable why she’s so rebellious, cold, and not easy to love. She is emotionally wounded, and Ramsey captures that perfectly. So, what others see as a problem is brilliant acting, in my opinion.

Fans are too quick to judge Bella Ramsey’s Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2

When HBO’s The Last of Us aired in 2023, all the fans of the iconic video game series were thrilled. The first season presented strong storytelling, stayed true to the heart of the source material, and added new depth to the storyline of Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.

Now that Season 2 is finally here, the excitement has only grown – but so have the debates. But not for the reasons you might think. This time, much of the spotlight (and criticism) is on Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie. Season 2 of The Last of Us has taken a five-year jump into the story, and Ellie is no longer the sarcastic, curious kid from Season 1.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in a still from The Last of Us | Credits: HBO

She’s grown into an emotionally guarded teenager who carries a deep resentment towards Joel. For others, she’s too cold, rude, and not like the Ellie they expected, and that might not be easy for a few to watch. But here’s the thing – that frustration alone proves that she’s doing an incredible job.

At the end of season 1, we saw that Joel and Ellie meet the Fireflies, a group that wanted to use her immunity to create a cure, even if it meant killing her. So, after he gets to know this, he saves her and kills everyone present at the scene. Not only this, but he also lies to her and says that they don’t need her anymore.

At the time, Ellie believed him, but now, as she knows the truth, that’s where the anger comes from. She’s furious at Joel for taking away her choice and that she was not able to save others. Bella Ramsey shows all those emotions in her performance, and she doesn’t try to make Ellie easy to like.

Instead, she shows us a teenager struggling to come to terms with betrayal. And while her acting makes me want to punch her, it’s only because she’s that good.

So, if Bella Ramsey’s Ellie makes you feel annoyed or upset, that’s not a sign of bad acting – it’s the opposite. It means you’re feeling exactly what the character is feeling with full authenticity and realism.

Fans are debating Bella Ramsey’s casting as Ellie

When The Last of Us was announced as a show, fans of the original video game were excited to see their favorite characters come to life on screen. But as soon as Bella Ramsey’s casting as Ellie was announced, the internet became divided. The main reason behind this? Ramsey doesn’t look like the Ellie from the game.

Bella Ramsey in a still from The Last of Us | Credits: HBO

In the game, the character had big green eyes, light brown hair, and softer facial features. She had a certain look that made players feel attached to her character over the years. Bella Ramsey, on the other hand, has sharper features, a different bone structure, and a unique appearance that doesn’t quite match the game’s version. The same was detailed by some users on Reddit as well.

So, for the fans this difference was hard to ignore, and they didn’t just want a good performance but also wanted the exact same face and overall look of character. It’s not that Ramsey is not a great actor (many agreed she’s great) but that she simply didn’t resemble the Ellie they spent hours within the game.

Fans also had suggestions as per Slate that instead of Ramsey, the makers could have brought in actress Cailee Spaeny who they felt looked more like Ellie. While Ramsey has done full justice to her role, the difference in appearance was enough to start a never-ending debate.

The Last of Us Season 2 will premiere weekly on Sundays on HBO and Max.