5 Critical Ways Bella Ramsey's Ellie Diverges From The Last Of Us Game Character (And Why It Works)

The debate over who is the 'real' Ellie Williams—the game's original motion-capture icon, Ashley Johnson, or the HBO series' breakout star, Bella Ramsey—is one of the most intense and fascinating discussions in modern television history. Now, with the highly anticipated *The Last of Us* Season 2 premiere scheduled for April 2025, the comparison is set to intensify as Bella Ramsey's portrayal matures into the hardened survivor of *Part II*. This deep dive, updated for December 15, 2025, breaks down the key differences and why the show’s creative liberties ultimately served the adaptation’s success.

The core of the "Ellie vs. Actor" conversation goes far beyond simple physical resemblance. It’s a nuanced examination of performance, character interpretation, and the fundamental differences between a character designed for a 30-hour video game and one crafted for a prestige television drama. Bella Ramsey’s critically acclaimed performance has earned them multiple nominations, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award, cementing their place as the definitive live-action Ellie, despite the initial fan backlash.

The Two Faces of Ellie: Bella Ramsey and Ashley Johnson Actor Profiles

The character of Ellie Williams is unique in that she has two distinct, celebrated actors who have brought her to life: Ashley Johnson, the original voice and motion-capture artist, and Bella Ramsey, the live-action star.

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Bella Ramsey: The Live-Action Icon

• Full Name: Isabella May Ramsey.
• Born: September 25, 2003, in Nottingham, England.
• Key Breakthrough Role: Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy series *Game of Thrones* (2016–2019).
• Notable Roles: Mildred Hubble in *The Worst Witch*, the title role in *Catherine Called Birdy*.
• Accolades for Ellie: Nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy Award for Best Leading Actor in a Drama Series for *The Last of Us* Season 1. They are the first openly non-binary individual to achieve this historic Emmy nomination.
• Fun Fact: Ramsey won the 2025 Gold Derby TV Award for Drama Actress for their work on the show.

Ashley Johnson: The Original Voice and Mo-Cap Legend

• Full Name: Ashley Suzanne Johnson.
• Born: August 9, 1983, in Camarillo, California, USA.
• Key Breakthrough Role: Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom *Growing Pains* (1990–1992), beginning her career as a child actor.
• Notable Roles: Voice of Gwen Tennyson in *Ben 10*, Agent Patterson in *Blindspot*.
• Accolades for Ellie: She is a two-time BAFTA winner for Best Performer for her work on *The Last of Us Part I* and *Part II*.
• Fun Fact: Johnson has a memorable cameo in the HBO series as Anna, Ellie’s mother, creating a powerful connection between the game and show canon.

The 5 Critical Divergences in Ellie's Portrayal

While both actors perfectly capture Ellie Williams’s core essence—a character shaped by trauma and survival—their interpretations for their respective mediums necessitated five key differences that define the "Ellie vs. Actor" debate.

1. Physicality and Initial Fan Reaction (The Look)

The most immediate and controversial difference was the physical appearance. The game's Ellie, particularly in *The Last of Us Part I*, has a specific, highly detailed look. Bella Ramsey's casting initially sparked ruthless criticism and online backlash from a segment of the video game's devotees who felt the actor didn't physically resemble the character.

However, co-creator Neil Druckmann and showrunner Craig Mazin consistently defended the choice, prioritizing acting talent and the ability to convey Ellie's complex inner life over a perfect visual match. Bella Ramsey’s performance ultimately silenced most critics, proving that their ability to embody Ellie's spirit was more important than their likeness to the original 3D model.

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2. The 'Jagged Edges' of Show Ellie (The Personality)

Ashley Johnson's Ellie in the game is often described as more immediately likeable, with a youthful energy that makes her bond with Joel Miller feel more accessible to the player. Bella Ramsey’s interpretation, especially in the early episodes, is notably different. Critics and fans have described the show’s Ellie as more "impish," "obnoxious," and having "jagged edges."

This difference is intentional. The show’s version presents a more guarded, cynical child who has spent her entire life in a military quarantine zone. Her humor is darker, and her defenses are higher, making her emotional breakthrough with Joel all the more earned and impactful for television viewers.

3. The Role of Dialogue vs. Environmental Storytelling (The Medium)

A video game relies heavily on environmental storytelling and player interaction to convey mood and character. Ashley Johnson’s voice acting often works in tandem with the player's actions, with her character reacting to every collectible, combat encounter, and hidden note. This requires a certain baseline of engagement and chatter.

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The HBO series, however, can use silence, close-ups, and extended dialogue scenes to explore the same themes. Bella Ramsey’s performance excels in these moments of quiet intensity, using subtle facial expressions and body language to convey Ellie’s trauma and immunity, a depth that is sometimes harder to achieve in the constant action of a game. Their ability to deliver raw, emotional lines has been widely praised, earning them the historical Emmy nomination.

The Future of Ellie: Season 2 and the Abby Comparison

The most pressing question for fans now is how Bella Ramsey will handle the older, more vengeance-driven Ellie of *The Last of Us Part II*. The second season, which is set to premiere in April 2025, will focus heavily on Ellie’s quest for vengeance following the tragic events that conclude *Part I*.

4. The Maturation of Performance (From Part I to Part II)

In the game, Ashley Johnson's Ellie ages from 14 to 19, showing a dramatic physical and emotional transformation. Bella Ramsey, who was 19 during the filming of Season 1, will also be portraying a more mature Ellie in Season 2. The actor has already teased that there are "emotional moments ahead" for the character, suggesting they are ready to tackle the dark, complex narrative of *Part II*.

This transition will be a true test of their performance, requiring a shift from the impish survivor of the first season to a hardened, morally compromised protagonist. The showrunners have confirmed that the new season will continue to explore the themes of loss, trauma, and the cycle of violence, which are central to the game's narrative.

5. The Rivalry with Abby (Kaitlyn Dever's Role)

The comparison will also shift from "Ellie vs. Actor" to "Ellie vs. Abby," the character who becomes Ellie’s ultimate rival. Kaitlyn Dever has been cast as Abby, a move that has been met with significant fan approval due to Dever's strong acting background and closer physical resemblance to her game counterpart than Ramsey had.

The dynamic between Bella Ramsey’s Ellie and Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby will be the dramatic centerpiece of the next season. It will be a performance comparison that is less about adaptation fidelity and more about sheer dramatic power, as the two actors embody the opposing sides of the game's central conflict. This casting decision is a clear indicator that the show is committed to capturing the emotional weight of *Part II*, even if it means challenging the audience.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The discussion surrounding the two Ellies is rich with topical entities that define the franchise's success:

• Game Developers: Naughty Dog, Neil Druckmann.
• Key Characters: Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), Cordyceps infection, Dina, Tommy.
• Core Themes: Trauma, Survival, Vengeance, Immunity, Morality.
• Adaptation Elements: Creative Liberties, Performance Comparison, Fan Reaction, Source Material Fidelity, Motion Capture.
• Show Recognition: Emmy Award, Golden Globe nomination, BAFTA, HBO, *Game of Thrones* (Lyanna Mormont).