Bella Ramsey, who portrays Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us, has offered a candid response to criticism directed at the series as it transitions from Season 2 into the planned third season. Speaking in a podcast with The Awardist, Ramsey acknowledged that while not everyone may appreciate the creative choices made in the adaptation, viewers are free to turn to the original games if they prefer.
“I would say, you don’t have to watch it,” Ramsey explained. “If you hate it so much, the game exists. You can just play the game again, you don’t have to watch it. But if you do want to watch it, then I hope you enjoy it.”
The Emmy-nominated actor reflected on the intense second season, which dramatized Joel’s shocking death and Ellie’s emotionally fraught journey in the aftermath. Ramsey also touched on the finale, noting that they were unaware of certain aspects of the last scene until after filming had wrapped. The actor hinted at ongoing conversations regarding the scope of their role in the upcoming third season, which is expected to delve deeper into Abby’s story following her introduction in Season 2.
Based on Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game series, The Last of Us has been lauded for its faithful yet ambitious adaptation. The first season, covering the events of the 2013 game, was a commercial and critical success, averaging over 30 million viewers per episode and securing multiple Emmy wins. Season 2, which adapts the first half of The Last of Us Part II, has proven equally popular, with HBO reporting an average of 37 million viewers across platforms.
Season 3, slated for release in 2027, is expected to continue the narrative of Part II, centering on Abby’s arc while further exploring Ellie’s struggle for identity, survival, and reconciliation. With the series having already been praised as one of television’s best video game adaptations, anticipation remains high for how Mazin and the creative team will bring the remainder of the story to the screen.
