Bella Ramsey, best known for their role as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us, has revealed that they were diagnosed with autism during the filming of the show’s first season — a personal milestone the actor describes as empowering and transformative.
Opening Up About Neurodivergence
In a candid interview with British Vogue published Thursday, Ramsey shared details of their autism diagnosis for the first time. While the 20-year-old actor had previously alluded to being neurodivergent, they had not spoken publicly about receiving a formal diagnosis — until now.
How the Diagnosis Came About
Ramsey explained that the revelation followed a comment from a crew member on set, who suspected the actor might be autistic after observing their behavior — a remark that led Ramsey to seek out a psychiatric assessment. The diagnosis ultimately confirmed something they had long suspected.
“I’ve spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always for some reason didn’t want to,” they said. “I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming Season 1 of The Last of Us.”
Impact on Acting and Life
Ramsey shared that understanding their autism has given them greater clarity — not only in their daily life, but also in their craft as an actor. The structured environment of a film set, they noted, can be comforting.
Routine, Rules, and Representation
“I’ve always been watching and learning from people,” Ramsey said. “Having to learn more manually how to socialize and interact with the people around me has helped me with acting.”
They added that structure on set helps them thrive: “I have a call time, and I’m told what to wear, how to stand, where to stand and what to eat.”
For Ramsey, the diagnosis was not a burden, but a liberation. “It’s freeing,” they said. “It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do.”
Advocating Through Visibility
Though deeply personal, Ramsey said there was no reason to keep the diagnosis private any longer. “My experience of moving through the world is as an autistic person,” they emphasized. “There’s no reason for people not to know.”
Their decision to speak out comes at a time when autism representation in mainstream media is growing — and Ramsey’s openness is likely to resonate with many fans who also identify as neurodivergent.
A Rising Star with a Bold Voice
Ramsey rose to prominence for their portrayal of the fierce Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, and has since become a leading voice in a new generation of actors unafraid to share the full spectrum of their identities.
Now starring alongside Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us, based on the acclaimed video game franchise, Ramsey has earned critical praise for their emotionally nuanced performance as Ellie — a character navigating trauma, survival, and deep human connection.
What’s Next
The Last of Us Season 2 is slated to premiere in April, and anticipation is high. As Ramsey continues their journey both on-screen and off, fans can expect not only powerful performances, but also an increasingly visible and candid advocate for neurodivergent individuals in entertainment and beyond.
