Bella Ramsey, who won hearts as the fiery Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones when she was just 11 years old, has become a force to be reckoned with. Her latest turn as Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, but it also exposed her to a deluge of online abuse.
Although talented and committed, critics have targeted Ramsey not for her work but for her gender, appearance, and the role she plays.
The Hate Machine Online
Critics have aimed a great deal of criticism at Ramsey for playing Ellie, the lesbian central character of The Last of Us. Even though the video game has traditionally featured LGBTQ+ narratives, the live-action series set off its livid defenders of cis-heteropatriarchy, particularly from far-right and manosphere communities of the internet. They could not deal with the queer hero who resists the male gaze and often called out the series for being “too woke.” It even led to a Reddit thread questioning: Why does Ramsey hate so much?
In addition, Ramsey’s depiction has also been the target of criticism from those who feel she does not fit the typical beauty standards. Trolls have even taken the step of posting AI-generated photos of actresses they find more beautiful, leveraging misogyny and transphobia in a bid to discredit her.
A Personal Cost
Ramsey has also been candid about her mental health, anorexia, and being non-binary. In a recent interview, she revealed the deep emotional toll the online vitriol has taken. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had a negative reaction to something. There would be times I’d find it funny. Then I’d get to the end of a 10-minute scrolling session, put my phone down and realise: Maybe that was a bad idea,” she told The New York Times.
Finally, she took action in her best interests. “I’ve just deactivated my Instagram and my Twitter.”
Ramsey explained during an interview with her former co-star, Kit Harington, that she had reached a point where she no longer needed this. “By walking away from social media, she took control of her mental space and public discourse back,” she added.
Standing Strong Amid the Storm
Ramsey remains dedicated to her work despite the continuous backlash. “If you don’t want to watch the show because it has gay storylines or a trans character, that’s your loss,” she said to the magazine. Her words summarize a developing social resistance to hate and exclusion.
Ramsey’s bravery mirrors that of Ellie—belligerent, real, and not wanting to cower under hate. As the debate regarding representation heats up, Bella Ramsey is a testament to what it means to be unapologetic in the face of hate.
