Bella Ramsey, the 21-year-old star of HBO’s The Last of Us, has found herself at the center of a social media storm, often labeled as one of the most criticized Gen Z actresses online. Since her casting as Ellie in the critically acclaimed series, Ramsey has faced relentless backlash, much of it targeting her appearance and gender identity, with some fans arguing she doesn’t fit the role of the tough, teenage survivor from Naughty Dog’s iconic video game. In a candid interview on May 10, 2025, Ramsey addressed the hate, stating, “They make fun of me because of my gender. I think I’m quite suitable for the role of Ellie in TLOU.” Her resilience in the face of toxicity has sparked renewed discussions about fandom culture, online harassment, and the pressures faced by young actors.

The controversy began in 2021 when Ramsey, then 17, was cast as Ellie, a character beloved for her grit and emotional depth in The Last of Us Part I and II. While the first season, released in 2023, earned widespread praise—Ramsey’s performance alongside Pedro Pascal’s Joel was lauded by critics like those at Variety for its authenticity—some fans on platforms like X were vocal in their disapproval. Posts on X, dating back to 2023, highlight the criticism: users questioned Ramsey’s youthful appearance, arguing she looked “too young” or “too frail” to embody Ellie’s hardened persona in the second season, which adapts the darker, more violent Part II. Others targeted Ramsey’s non-binary identity, with comments mocking their gender expression and deeming them “unfit” for the role. One post from January 2025 called Ramsey’s casting “a mistake,” claiming they couldn’t portray Ellie’s adult arc, including her queer relationship, convincingly.

Ramsey, who uses they/them pronouns, has been open about the toll of this backlash. In a 2023 THR interview, they admitted to questioning their casting, thinking, “What am I doing here? You’ve chosen the wrong person.” The negativity persisted into 2025, with the second season’s April premiere reigniting debates. Fans on X, like @MischiefsYT, praised Ramsey’s acting but felt the writers struggled to adapt Ellie’s older, more complex character to Ramsey’s physicality, suggesting a recast might have been better. Others, such as @MellamanSiL, condemned the “disgusting” attacks on Ramsey’s appearance, calling out the misogyny and transphobia embedded in the criticism. These sentiments echo broader discussions about toxic fandoms, seen in cases like the harassment of Star Wars’ Moses Ingram.

Despite the hate, Ramsey remains defiant. In their May 2025 interview with The Guardian, they emphasized their connection to Ellie, saying, “Ellie felt like a character I already had in me,” a sentiment they first shared in 2023 with Naughty Dog’s official blog. Ramsey’s portrayal captures Ellie’s vulnerability and ferocity, earning praise from co-creator Neil Druckmann, who called their performance “transformative” for its emotional depth. The second season, which delves into Ellie’s revenge-driven journey post-Joel, has been a ratings hit, with HBO reporting a 15% viewership increase over Season 1. Ramsey’s chemistry with Isabel Merced, who plays Ellie’s love interest Dina, has also been a highlight, though some fans on X argue the age gap—Ramsey’s youthful look versus Dina’s older vibe—feels jarring.

The backlash against Ramsey reflects deeper issues in gaming and TV fandoms, where loyalty to source material often fuels entitlement. Posts on X from April 2025, like @LaCavernaGamer’s, defend Ramsey, calling out “incel” behavior and urging fans to separate critique from personal attacks. Ramsey themselves has grown more confident, telling Discussing Film in 2023, “It’s only recently I’ve accepted I am Ellie, and I can do it.” This confidence shines in Season 2, where their physicality—trained through stunt work—matches Ellie’s brutal combat scenes, silencing some doubters.

As The Last of Us gears up for a potential third season, Ramsey’s journey mirrors Ellie’s: one of resilience against overwhelming odds. Their ability to rise above hate, supported by allies like Pascal and Merced, underscores their suitability for the role. The controversy, while painful, has also spotlighted the need for kinder online spaces. Fans on X continue to debate, but Ramsey’s performance and HBO’s backing suggest they’re here to stay as Ellie, proving that talent and heart outweigh the noise of social media vitriol.