7 Unflinching Truths: The Ultimate Ellie Comparison Across The Last Of Us Game, Part II, And HBO Show

The character of Ellie Williams is arguably one of the most complex and beloved figures in modern entertainment, transitioning from a groundbreaking video game protagonist to a critically acclaimed HBO television star. As of December 2025, with anticipation building for the second season of the HBO series—which will delve into the brutal narrative of *The Last of Us Part II*—the conversation around "which Ellie is best" is more intense than ever.

This deep-dive comparison explores the nuanced portrayal of Ellie across the original Naughty Dog games (voiced and motion-captured by Ashley Johnson) and the blockbuster HBO adaptation (portrayed by Bella Ramsey), highlighting the key differences in physical representation, emotional depth, and character evolution that define her journey in the post-apocalyptic world.

Dual Icons: The Biographies of Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey

The core of the "Ellie comparison" debate rests on the two phenomenal actors who brought her to life. Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey each possess unique career trajectories that inform their distinct portrayals of the immune teenager.

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Ashley Johnson (Original Game Ellie)

• Full Name: Ashley Suzanne Johnson
• Date of Birth: August 9, 1983
• Nationality: American
• Career Highlights:
• Began her career as a child actor, achieving early fame as Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom *Growing Pains* at just six years old.
• A prolific voice actress, she is known for roles like Gretchen Grundler in Disney's *Recess* and Terra in *Teen Titans*.
• Her work as Ellie in *The Last of Us* (2013) and *The Last of Us Part II* (2020) earned her multiple BAFTA awards for Best Performer.
• A prominent figure in the tabletop role-playing community, notably as a cast member on the popular web series *Critical Role*.

Bella Ramsey (HBO Series Ellie)

• Full Name: Isabella May Ramsey (They/Them)
• Date of Birth: September 25, 2003
• Nationality: English
• Career Highlights:
• Achieved a breakthrough role as the fierce young noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy series *Game of Thrones*.
• Won a BAFTA award in 2019 for Best Children's Performer for their lead role in the Netflix series *Hilda*.
• Their casting as Ellie in *The Last of Us* (2023) was initially met with online skepticism but later earned widespread critical acclaim, including Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
• Known for portraying strong-willed young women and bringing a unique intensity to their roles.

7 Key Differences in The Last of Us Ellie Comparison

Comparing Ellie across the different media is less about declaring a winner and more about appreciating the distinct artistic choices made by Naughty Dog and HBO to suit their respective formats. These are the seven most significant points of difference.

1. The Physicality: Game Model vs. Live-Action Realism

The most immediate point of comparison is Ellie’s physical appearance. The game's Ellie, particularly in the remastered *Part I*, has a distinct, defined look that fans grew attached to. Bella Ramsey's casting initially sparked debate because their physical appearance differed from the game model.

Game Ellie (Ashley Johnson): The character model is notably more muscular and traditionally "heroic" in appearance, especially as she ages into *Part II*, reflecting her life of constant survival and combat. Her later appearance in *Part II* is taller and more physically imposing to handle the brutal, visceral combat.

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Show Ellie (Bella Ramsey): Ramsey is smaller and younger-looking, which they addressed, noting, "My body type isn't that" of the game character. This choice grounds the character in a gritty, more realistic portrayal of a 14-year-old surviving a pandemic, making her moments of violence more shocking due to the contrast with her size.

2. The Personality: Immediate Likeability vs. Grounded Sarcasm

The core personality is the same—sarcastic, tough, and vulnerable—but the delivery differs to match the medium's needs.

Game Ellie: Ashley Johnson’s Ellie is often described as more immediately likable and jovial in the first game. This quality is crucial in a video game, as the player must quickly bond with the key character they are protecting. Her humor often acts as a necessary counterpoint to the gameplay's tension.

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Show Ellie: Bella Ramsey’s interpretation leans into a more guarded, cynical, and at times, "bratty" version, especially early on. This grounded approach makes her eventual emotional breakthroughs and moments of genuine joy feel more earned and resonant for a television audience accustomed to complex, flawed protagonists.

3. The Character Evolution from Part I to Part II

The transition from the relatively hopeful teen of *Part I* to the revenge-driven survivor of *Part II* is the most critical part of the comparison, especially with Season 2's May 2025 timeline.

Game Ellie (*Part II*): Her evolution is a descent into "feral depression." The game focuses on her single-minded, brutal quest for revenge, stripping away much of the light-heartedness she once had.

Show Ellie (Anticipated in Season 2): Early discussions suggest the show will maintain a thread of the "jovial Ellie" beneath the depression. This could make her emotional breakdown and violent acts feel even more tragic, as the audience sees the remnants of the girl Joel saved struggling to survive the trauma.

4. The Performance: Voice/Mocap vs. Full Live-Action

Both actors are praised, but their roles demand different skills.

Ashley Johnson: Her performance is a masterclass in voice acting and motion capture. She had to convey deep emotion primarily through her voice and physical movements captured digitally, with the final visual being an animated character model. She is the definitive voice of Ellie.

Bella Ramsey: Their performance is full live-action, requiring them to carry entire scenes with subtle facial expressions, body language, and direct chemistry with Pedro Pascal (Joel Miller). This allowed for a more intimate, close-up study of Ellie's fear and hardening resolve, a necessary shift for the TV format.

5. The Industry Praise: The Original’s Legacy vs. The Adaptation’s Elevation

Both actors have received industry recognition, but the nature of the praise differs.

Ashley Johnson's Praise: Focuses on her groundbreaking work in the gaming industry, setting a new standard for character depth and performance capture in video games.

Bella Ramsey's Praise: Ashley Johnson herself stated that Bella Ramsey has "elevated" the role, bringing a depth and talent that allowed the character to reach new heights in a different medium. This is a powerful endorsement that validates the show's casting choice and performance.

6. The Emotional Scars and Trauma

The show and game handle Ellie's trauma, particularly the loss of Riley and the weight of her immunity, with slightly different pacing.

Game Ellie: The trauma is often directly tied to gameplay moments and cutscenes, making it a high-impact, concentrated experience for the player. The emotional depth is there, but it must be balanced with the action-adventure mechanics.

Show Ellie: The HBO series, under the guidance of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, has the luxury of dedicating entire scenes to quieter, more character-focused moments. This allows for a slow-burn exploration of her PTSD, her guilt over Riley, and the complex nature of her relationship with Joel, resulting in a slightly different psychological profile.

7. The World’s Impact: Gameplay Mechanics vs. Narrative Focus

Ultimately, the biggest difference is the medium itself.

Game Ellie: She is a player-controlled character (in *Part II*). Her strength, resourcefulness, and brutality are tied directly to the player's actions, making her evolution a first-person experience. The need for action means she must be a highly capable survivor from a young age.

Show Ellie: She is a character observed by the audience. The narrative focuses less on the sheer volume of Infected (as seen in the change from hordes to single, terrifying encounters) and more on the human element: the moral compromises, the fear, and the love that drives her actions. This shift allows the show to prioritize her emotional journey over combat mechanics, resulting in a more focused, character-driven story.

The Lasting Legacy of Ellie Williams

The comparison between the game and show versions of Ellie Williams is a testament to the character's enduring power. It is not a battle between Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey, but rather a celebration of two distinct, masterful performances that serve the same core story. Johnson established the iconic, award-winning foundation, while Ramsey successfully translated that complex character for a new, mainstream audience.

As the HBO series moves into the darker territory of *The Last of Us Part II*, fans can look forward to seeing Bella Ramsey tackle the immense emotional weight of the older, broken Ellie—a challenge that will undoubtedly spark a fresh wave of comparisons and discussions, solidifying Ellie Williams' status as a truly timeless character in video game and television history. The ongoing conversation only proves the character's profound emotional resonance with millions worldwide.