Bella Ramsey, the 21-year-old nonbinary actor who brought Ellie Williams to life in HBO’s The Last of Us, has become a polarizing figure in Hollywood. Celebrated for their raw talent, Ramsey has also faced a torrent of online vitriol, earning the dubious label of “Hollywood’s most hated actress” from some corners of the internet. In June 2025, Craig Mazin, co-showrunner of The Last of Us, broke his silence on the viral social media memes targeting Ramsey, shedding light on the toxic fandom culture fueling this backlash. From cruel jabs at Ramsey’s appearance to accusations of miscasting, the hate has pushed the young star to deactivate their social media accounts. What drives this unprecedented animosity, and how does Mazin’s defense reframe the narrative? Let’s unravel the memes, the hate, and the resilience of a star redefining Hollywood.

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Bella Ramsey’s Meteoric Rise

Ramsey’s journey began in Nottingham, where they discovered acting at four through Stagecoach Theatre Arts. At 11, they landed the role of Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, stealing scenes with a fierce presence that sparked YouTube compilations of “Lyanna Destroying People.” Roles in The Worst Witch and Hilda followed, earning Ramsey BAFTA awards and critical praise. Their casting as Ellie in The Last of Us, HBO’s 2023 adaptation of Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic game, was a game-changer. The series, which drew 40 million viewers for its premiere, became HBO’s biggest hit since Game of Thrones, with Ramsey’s portrayal of the queer, immune teenager earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

Season 2, premiered in April 2025, saw Ramsey embody a 19-year-old Ellie, navigating revenge and loss after a pivotal plot twist. Their performance, particularly in emotionally charged scenes, was lauded by critics, yet it intensified fan scrutiny. Ramsey’s smaller, 5-foot-1 frame and youthful features clashed with the game’s muscular, taller Ellie, fueling a backlash that Mazin has now addressed head-on.

The Viral Memes: A Toxic Campaign

The memes targeting Ramsey emerged shortly after their 2020 casting announcement, escalating with Season 1’s 2023 debut and exploding during Season 2’s rollout. Social media platforms like Reddit, X, and Instagram became battlegrounds, with users creating cruel images comparing Ramsey to characters like the Pale Lady from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or mocking their “square head.” Others superimposed Ramsey’s face onto male movie characters, referencing a Season 2 line where Ellie jokingly says, “I’m gonna be a dad,” to taunt their nonbinary identity. These memes, often framed as humor, masked a vicious cyberbullying campaign that Ramsey described as overwhelming.

By early 2025, the hate became so intense that Ramsey deactivated their Instagram and Twitter accounts, a decision they explained as self-preservation. They admitted to initially internalizing the criticism, questioning their fit for Ellie after seeing comments about their physique. The memes weren’t just about appearance; they attacked Ramsey’s acting, with some calling it “mid” or claiming they lacked the emotional range for Ellie’s darker Season 2 arc. This toxicity mirrors past Last of Us controversies, like death threats against Laura Bailey for playing Abby in the game and harassment of Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in Season 2.

Craig Mazin’s Passionate Defense

Craig Mazin, alongside co-creator Neil Druckmann, has been a staunch defender of Ramsey since their audition. In June 2025, Mazin spoke out about the memes, framing them as a symptom of deeper issues in fandom culture. He argued that Ramsey was chosen for their ability to embody Ellie’s spirit—her humor, resilience, and complexity—rather than to replicate a digital model’s features. Mazin highlighted Ramsey’s emotional depth, noting a Season 2 scene where Ellie’s rage left him “scared” and heartbroken, showcasing their ability to command the screen.

Mazin also addressed the double standards in fan expectations. Male actors like Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, face less scrutiny for diverging from their game counterparts, while Ramsey and other actresses endure relentless judgment. He pointed to Ramsey’s growth from Season 1’s naive 14-year-old to Season 2’s vengeful 19-year-old, emphasizing their emotional maturity over physical resemblance. Mazin’s defense aligns with Druckmann’s, who praised Ramsey’s audition for capturing Ellie’s “naive yet wise” essence, a quality that outshone over 100 other actresses.

Why the Hate? Unpacking the Backlash

The label “most hated actress” stems from multiple factors, rooted in toxic fandom, misogyny, and resistance to diversity. First, The Last of Us’s passionate gaming community, accustomed to Ellie’s game design—voiced by Ashley Johnson—struggled with Ramsey’s live-action interpretation. Fans on Reddit’s r/TheLastOfUs2 and X criticized Ramsey’s lack of muscle definition and “baby face,” arguing they couldn’t embody the physically imposing Ellie of Part II. Some suggested alternatives like Cailee Spaeny or Maisie Williams, reflecting a fixation on conventional attractiveness over talent.

Second, Ramsey’s nonbinary identity and advocacy for queer representation have made them a target for bigotry. Their 2023 coming out as gender-fluid, coupled with their defense of the show’s queer storylines—like Ellie’s romance with Dina and the Bill-Frank episode—drew ire from right-wing trolls and MAGA-aligned critics. Memes misgendering Ramsey or mocking their pronouns reflect a broader backlash against “woke” casting, a pattern seen with actresses like Rachel Zegler and Halle Bailey. Ramsey’s autism diagnosis, shared during Season 1 filming, has also been weaponized, with trolls questioning their ability to handle Ellie’s intensity.

Third, the memes tap into a cultural resistance to women challenging norms. Ramsey’s refusal to conform to Hollywood’s beauty standards—evident in their short hair and androgynous style—has provoked comments calling them “unfeminine” or “miscast.” This echoes historical slander against actresses like Clara Bow, highlighting a persistent pattern of diminishing talented women. The hate intensified with Season 2’s focus on Ellie’s lesbian relationship, amplifying homophobic and transphobic rhetoric online.

The Bigger Picture: Toxic Fandom Culture

The backlash against Ramsey is a case study in toxic fandom, a phenomenon that has plagued franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. The Last of Us game faced similar vitriol upon Part II’s 2020 release, with fans review-bombing it for its queer and female-led narrative. The show’s adaptation, while critically acclaimed, has inherited this toxicity, with Ramsey bearing the brunt. Mazin’s comments frame this as a broader issue: fans’ obsession with physical fidelity over emotional authenticity reveals misogyny and unrealistic standards, particularly for young actresses.

The impact on Ramsey has been profound. Filming Season 2 was “lonely” without Pascal’s character, and the hate exacerbated Ramsey’s struggles with anxiety and autism. Their decision to quit social media was proactive, allowing them to focus on their craft—evident in their Season 2 performance, which critics have called “phenomenal” for its raw anger and vulnerability. Ramsey’s supporters, including fans on X and co-stars like Pascal, have rallied around them, condemning the memes and praising their emotional range in scenes like Ellie’s confrontation with Nora.

Ramsey’s Resilience and Industry Support

Despite the hate, Ramsey remains a force. Their training for Season 2—boxing, jiu-jitsu, and weights—transformed them into a tougher Ellie, and rumors of a muscle-building regimen for a potential Season 4 suggest they’re doubling down. Their advocacy, including a reported $8 million donation to LGBTQ+ causes in June 2025, underscores their commitment to marginalized communities. Ramsey’s defiance of trolls, seen in their defense of co-star Kaitlyn Dever, reflects a maturity beyond their years.

Industry heavyweights have also backed Ramsey. Director Mark Mylod, who worked with them on The Broken Man, predicted they’ll “rule Hollywood” in decades to come. Ashley Johnson, the game’s Ellie, endorsed Ramsey’s portrayal, while Mazin and Druckmann have vowed to continue working with them. HBO’s success with The Last of Us, renewed for Season 3 in May 2025, proves Ramsey’s casting was a triumph, despite fan complaints. Speculation about a Marvel role in 2025 further signals Ramsey’s rising star.

What’s Next for Ramsey and The Last of Us?

The memes and hate haven’t derailed Ramsey’s trajectory. Season 3, expected in 2026, will likely focus on Abby, with Ramsey appearing in fewer episodes, but Season 4 could see them reclaim the lead, potentially requiring the muscular physique they’re reportedly training for. Mazin’s comments suggest a long-term vision for the series, with Ramsey as its heart. Their ability to navigate backlash—bolstered by Mazin’s defense—positions them as a trailblazer for diverse casting.

The controversy also sparks a broader conversation. Can fandoms move beyond toxic gatekeeping to embrace live-action adaptations? Will Ramsey’s resilience inspire other young actors to defy hate? The memes may label Ramsey “most hated,” but their talent and support system tell a different story—one of triumph over adversity.

Follow The Last of Us on HBO Max, with Season 3 expected in 2026, and check Ramsey’s rare interviews for updates. Engage on X, but beware of toxic threads. Ramsey’s saga is a testament to strength—don’t miss the next chapter in their rise!