The Last of Us: Bella Ramsey ‘Isn’t Afraid’ of Backlash Over LGBT Characters, ‘Comes From a Place of Defiance’

HBO’s The Last of Us series has been officially renewed for Season 2, and executive producer Neil Druckmann has already teased a Part II storyline. With the focus further shifting to Ellie, actor Bella Ramsey knows what lies ahead for the character and isn’t “particularly anxious” about potential backlash over LGBT characters.

In an interview with GQ Magazine, Ramsey touched on her familiarity with Ellie’s story in The Last of Us Part: II telling the outlet she hopes Dina’s relationship with the character is something Season 2 explores.
“There are a few bits with Ellie on her own, probably,” Ramsey said. “But I like the fact that she also has [Dina] now.”

In the second game, Dina and Ellie have a clear romantic relationship not left up to question, which leads to predictable cycles of internet hatred and review bombing. In her GQ interview, Ramsey explains how she’s well aware of the potential backlash playing a queer character like Ellie may bring, but as a non-binary actor with years in the public eye, she doesn’t seem discouraged.

“I know people will think what they want to think. But they’re gonna have to get used to it,” Ramsey said. “If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines, because it has a trans character, that’s on you, and you’re missing out. It isn’t gonna make me afraid. I think that comes from a place of defiance.” 

HBO’s live-action retelling of the two-part series has already introduced and explored arcs with queer characters in Season 1, as episode three spent much of its focus on a gay couple from the first game, Bill and Frank. The episode is notable for its major deviation from the original story’s tale, choosing to give Bill and Frank a ‘happier’ ending that doesn’t doom Bill and Frank to typical “Bury Your Gays” tropes. 

While The Last of Us Season 2 doesn’t have many official details yet, there’s hope the series will remain faithful and build upon queer characters met in the games. The co-writer of the adaptation, Craig Mazin, promised in 2020 that Ellie would be gay in the HBO version.

Andrea Shearon is a freelance contributor for IGN covering games and entertainment. She’s worn several hats over her seven-year career in the games industry, with bylines over at Fanbyte, USA Today’s FTW, TheGamer, VG247, and RPG Site. Find her on Twitter (@Maajora) or the Materia Possessions podcast chatting about FFXIV, RPGs, and any series involving giant robots.