As HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us continues to captivate audiences, with Season 2 in production as of March 13, 2025, a growing chorus of fans has voiced dissatisfaction over the portrayal of Ellie, one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. The divide between the Ellie of Naughty Dog’s video games and the live-action version, played by Bella Ramsey, has sparked heated debates across platforms like X, with many arguing that the two iterations feel worlds apart. Adding fuel to the fire, the show’s creators have introduced a character tied to controversial statements—namely Abby, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever—whose presence has only deepened the rift. Fans point to specific remarks and narrative choices as evidence that the adaptation is straying too far from the essence of the games, raising questions about fidelity, casting, and creative direction.

In the original 2013 game and its 2020 sequel, The Last of Us Part II, Ellie, voiced and motion-captured by Ashley Johnson, is a scrappy, emotionally complex survivor whose journey with Joel Miller forms the emotional backbone of the series. She’s a foul-mouthed, fiercely independent teenager in the first game, evolving into a hardened, vengeance-driven young woman in the sequel, shaped by loss and trauma. Johnson’s performance, steeped in raw vulnerability and grit, cemented Ellie as a gaming icon. By contrast, Ramsey’s portrayal in the HBO series, which debuted in 2023, has been praised for its intensity but criticized for softening some of Ellie’s edges. Fans on X have noted that Ramsey’s Ellie feels less abrasive and more restrained, with one user posting, “Game Ellie would’ve cussed out Joel ten times by now—TV Ellie’s too polite.” The physical difference is another sore point: Ramsey’s slighter build and younger appearance clash with the wiry, battle-ready Ellie of the games, especially as Season 2 promises to adapt Part II’s older, more rugged version.

The divergence isn’t just cosmetic—it’s narrative too. In the games, Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection drives her mission with Joel, culminating in a morally ambiguous climax where he sacrifices a potential cure to save her. The show’s first season largely stayed true to this arc, but subtle shifts—like expanded flashbacks and a less gruff dynamic with Joel (Pedro Pascal)—have led some to feel Ellie’s fire has been dulled. “She’s supposed to be a badass, not a kid needing a hug,” another X post lamented. Creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the latter of whom co-directed the games, have defended their approach, arguing that television demands a different rhythm. In a 2024 interview with Variety, Mazin explained, “We’re not recreating gameplay—we’re telling a story through a new lens.” Yet, for many fans, this lens has blurred the Ellie they know, making her feel like a shadow of her digital self.

Compounding the discontent is the casting of Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, a pivotal character from Part II whose introduction in Season 2 has already stirred the pot. In the game, Abby is a muscular, polarizing figure who kills Joel in a brutal act of revenge, sparking Ellie’s bloody quest. Her physicality—built through years of training in a post-apocalyptic militia—defines her presence, a stark contrast to Ellie’s leaner frame. However, recent posts on X from sources like @TheLastOfUsBR suggest that the show will downplay Abby’s physical strength, focusing instead on her emotional and psychological impact. This shift has fans up in arms, especially given Abby’s association with controversial statements in the game, such as her justification for Joel’s murder: “We let you live, and you wasted it.” To some, this line—and Abby herself—represents a betrayal of the original story’s heart, and Dever’s casting has only heightened the scrutiny.

Dever, known for roles in Booksmart and No One Will Save You, brings a different physique and energy to Abby, prompting accusations of miscasting. “Abby’s supposed to tower over Ellie—Kaitlyn’s not that,” one fan tweeted, reflecting a broader sentiment that the show is prioritizing Hollywood appeal over game accuracy. The controversy isn’t new—Ramsey’s casting drew similar ire before Season 1, only for her performance to win over many doubters. Yet, Abby’s role as a lightning rod, tied to statements that divided players (like her cold defense of violence), makes her a tougher sell. Druckmann has hinted at tweaks to her arc, telling Entertainment Weekly in February 2025, “We’re exploring Abby’s humanity in ways the game couldn’t.” For fans who see her physicality as inseparable from her character, this feels like another step away from the source.

The backlash highlights a deeper tension: how much can an adaptation change before it loses its soul? The Last of Us thrived in gaming for its raw, unflinching storytelling—Ellie’s biting humor, her unapologetic rage, and Abby’s divisive complexity were part of that DNA. The show’s success—Season 1 drew over 30 million viewers per episode—proves it’s resonating, but the vocal minority on X argues it’s at the cost of authenticity. “They’re sanitizing Ellie and rewriting Abby to fit a TV mold,” one user posted, summing up the frustration. Others counter that the medium demands evolution, with a supporter tweeting, “Bella’s Ellie is different but just as powerful—let the show be its own thing.”

As Season 2 looms, the divide seems unlikely to heal. Ellie’s transformation from game to screen, paired with Abby’s controversial entry, has fans questioning whether HBO can balance innovation with reverence. Gunn’s DCU reboot may face legal woes, but The Last of Us faces a court of public opinion—one where Ellie’s soul and Abby’s statements are on trial. Whether the show can silence its critics or deepen the rift remains to be seen, but for now, the outrage burns as bright as a Molotov cocktail in a clicker-infested mall.