Forget Joel’s Death, THIS Scene Shook Bella Ramsey More in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2

Whether The Last of Us’ sophomore season deserved all that hate or not, there’s no way to deny one thing — the show will now never be the same without Pedro Pascal’s Joel.

The character’s gruesome death was featured right away in the second episode, not leaving a slightest chance even for the video game’s fans to prepare for what’s coming.

As many then claimed that the show got progressively worse without Pascal onstage, Joel’s death has become some sort of the “before” and “after” moment that also had its toll on many members of the leading cast, including Pascal as well.

Still, Ellie’s actor Bella Ramsey felt a bit different about her character’s hysterical reaction to her father figure’s passing, revealing that another aspect of acting work can’t even be compared to more “physical” scenes like the one of Joel’s death.

Bella Ramsey Says Season 2 Scene in Joel’s Room Was “Way More Challenging” Than Joel’s Death Moment

Many fans might have broken down in tears when Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby ended things with Joel with the help of a golf club, but Bella Ramsey had no time to think much about what happened as she was seen trying hysterically to reach Abby.

Instead, the actor felt way worse while filming more “intimate, emotional moments”.

“For example, the scene where Joel dies, because I was physically restrained and was screaming and crying, and it was quite physical…I found that way easier than I did the scene where I go up and see his room for the first time and find his jacket and then cry into his jacket”, Ramsey said in an interview with Deadline ahead of the Emmy ceremony where they’re nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

They then explained that doing scenes like this where her character’s deep bond with Joel is what matters the most is “way more challenging” than whatever scene where they have to play more with actions rather than emotions.

“Whenever everything else is stripped away, and it’s just a person feeling something, and the camera is right there seeing every nuance of that, that is definitely much harder”, Ramsey added.

Bella Ramsey Is Not “Actively Thinking” About “The Last of Us” Fans’ Backlash

Since many fans of the original video game lashed out on Ramsey for not being a fit for Ellie’s role, many speculated whether the actor’s decision to stay out of the social media was somehow connected to the rage wave.

However, Ramsey seems to be aware of what is actually happening, which she thinks is a pretty normal thing.

“Whatever people’s opinions are about how I or anyone else in the show is playing a character, I think everyone’s entitled to that — to feel however they want to feel about it. I just try and do the best that I can”, the actor continued.

Despite this, Ramsey doesn’t feel much pressure about all the backlash they’ve received over the years, saying that “it’s not something that I’m actively thinking about”.

The Last of Us’ season 3 has no premiere date yet, but is expected to arrive on HBO Max sometime in 2027.