British actor Bella Ramsey has become the target of widespread online harassment following their role as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us adaptation. The 21-year-old performer, who identifies as non-binary and is on the autism spectrum, has faced intense criticism from fans of the original PlayStation video game series who believe they were miscast for the role.
The backlash against Ramsey has been particularly severe on social media platforms, with Reddit communities dedicated to the show expressing harsh opinions about their appearance, acting abilities, and personal characteristics. Much of the criticism centers on the fact that Ramsey does not physically resemble the video game version of Ellie, leading to accusations from purists that the casting was inappropriate. However, showrunner Craig Mazin has defended the choice, stating that “it doesn’t matter. Just watch what happens.”
The harassment has extended beyond simple casting disagreements to include deliberate misgendering, homophobic comments, and personal attacks on Ramsey’s physical appearance. Bella has previously spoken openly about her gender identity and visibility in the media. Some critics have gone as far as to pit Ramsey against Ashley Johnson, the voice actor who portrayed Ellie in the original video games, creating unnecessary comparisons between the two performers.
Marvel studios reportedly interested in Bella Ramsey for major upcoming role
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding their work on The Last of Us, industry insiders report that Marvel Studios is considering Ramsey for a significant role in an upcoming project. According to entertainment scooper MyTimeToShineH, the studio has expressed interest in signing the actor for what is described as a big role, though specific details about which Marvel property remain undisclosed.
The potential Marvel opportunity comes at a time when Ramsey’s involvement in The Last of Us season three is expected to be limited, with appearances likely concentrated in the final episodes of what is rumored to be an eight-episode season. This reduced commitment to the HBO series could provide scheduling flexibility for other projects, similar to how Pedro Pascal managed his commitments between The Last of Us and the upcoming Fantastic Four film.
Ramsey appears to have anticipated the negative response to their casting, having deactivated their social media accounts several months before The Last of Us season two premiered in April. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, they explained that avoiding platforms like Twitter and Reddit has helped them maintain their well-being during this period of intense scrutiny.
The situation has also generated significant support from fans who have defended Ramsey against the harassment, with many praising their emotional range and performance in the series. These supporters have created their own social media campaigns to counter the negative commentary, highlighting specific scenes that demonstrate Ramsey’s acting abilities and condemning the personal attacks directed at the young performer.
