March 22, 2025: Bella Ramsey, best known for her portrayal of Ellie in The Last of Us, opened up about her autism diagnosis, revealing that it came to light during the filming of the hit HBO series’ first season. In an interview with British Vogue, as reported by Variety, Ramsey shared that a crew member on set, who had an autistic daughter, noticed symptoms in her and suggested she seek a formal psychiatric assessment.
“I’ve spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always for some reason didn’t want to say what it was. I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last of Us,” Ramsey said, reflecting on how the diagnosis came about. She explained that after a crew member raised the possibility, it prompted her to undergo an evaluation and eventually receive the diagnosis.
Ramsey described her experience of feeling like a “weirdo” and a “loner” growing up, which led her to wonder if autism could be the reason for some of her experiences. She went on to reveal some of the sensory issues that are common in people on the spectrum, such as “painful hyperawareness of other people’s micro-expressions and body language.”
The actress also shared how she navigates social interactions, mentioning that her experiences of observing and learning from others have helped her in acting. “I’ve always been watching and learning from people. Having to learn more manually how to socialise and interact with the people around me has helped me with acting,” Ramsey explained.
Ramsey also highlighted the structure and routine of being on set, which she finds helpful. “I have a call time, and I’m told what to wear, how to stand, where to stand and what to eat,” she said, noting that this structure helps her manage her condition.
Anticipation Builds for The Last of Us Season 2
Alongside this personal revelation, the makers of The Last of Us recently released the first official trailer for the much-awaited second season. Fans are eagerly anticipating the new episodes, which promise intense action, new characters, and more perilous threats as the post-apocalyptic world continues to unravel.
In the trailer, Ellie (Ramsey) is seen sneaking through an abandoned building, carefully stepping over broken glass. A dog can be spotted in the background, and the scene quickly transitions to a somber graveyard with wooden crosses adorned with medallions. Joel (Pedro Pascal) is shown traveling with Ellie through a forest, checking in on her by asking, “You OK?” to which Ellie replies, “Yeah,” though she appears visibly troubled.
The trailer teases an emotional and thrilling continuation of the story as Ellie and Joel navigate the dangers of their world.
The Last of Us Season 2 will premiere on April 13, 2025, on HBO, and fans can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for the beloved characters.