The Last of Us’ Ashley Johnson on Bella Ramsey’s Ellie: ‘I’m Blown Away’

The Last of Us video game star Ashley Johnson was blown away by Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie in the HBO series.

Speaking to Deadline, Johnson was asked how it felt to watch someone else take on the character she portrayed in both the original The Last of Us and 2020’s The Last of Us Part 2.

“It has been such a joy to watch her because she’s so good. And I feel like there’s been so many scenes that have been elevated because of her capabilities and her talent,” Johnson said.

“I’m blown away by what she’s done, and I’m so excited for her to have a space to make this character her own and to put her own imprint on it, in addition to bringing a character to life that she’s excited about and telling the story that she wants to tell within the character,” Johnson added. “I’m sure there’s pressure for anybody to take on a character that people know well, and I think she’s killed it.”

Johnson also believes Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie lends more to the character’s future arcs than her own performance might have in the original The Last of Us. HBO renewed the show for Season 2 after just a few episodes had premiered, with creator Neil Druckmann saying it will follow the events of the second game.

“She was exploring sides of her that will make sense for Season 2 because where the second game goes is even darker and heavier,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to watch because I’m watching these characters, Pedro [Pascal] and Bella’s version of these characters, and falling in love with them.

“It’s heartbreaking because I know that life doesn’t get better for them, and she is just so beautiful to watch because even in just these subtle moments there’s so much going on. And I feel like there’s been so many moments and scenes where Ellie’s been able to stick up for herself or say things that didn’t happen in the game that feel good for me to watch.”

Things won’t go exactly as expected, however, as showrunner Craig Mazin recently confirmed that Season 2 will sometimes differ from the games.

“[Season 2] will be different just as this season was different,” he said. “Sometimes it will be different radically, and sometimes it [won’t] be fairly different at all, but it’s going to be different. It will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make, but we are making it with Bella.”

In our 9/10 review of Season 1, IGN said: “HBO’s The Last of Us is a stunning adaptation that should thrill newcomers and enrich those already familiar with Joel and Ellie’s journey alike.”

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.