In the latest episode of HBO’s The Last of Us season 2, viewers witnessed a powerful and emotional performance by Bella Ramsey—one that the Emmy-nominated star called their most challenging scene to date.

While Ellie’s journey in The Last of Us is packed with action and heartbreak, it was a quiet, deeply emotional moment in episode 3 that left Ramsey feeling most vulnerable. In what is now being called Bella Ramsey’s toughest scene, Ellie is shown grieving over Joel’s death, inhaling the scent of his jacket in a tearful moment of mourning.

💬 “That scene in the closet was the hardest,” Ramsey shared in an interview. “I really struggle with crying in scenes. Getting even a single tear out is difficult for me, let alone full-on crying. And doing that in front of a full set of people—with monitors and eyes on you—it felt nearly impossible. I was really worried.”

This Bella Ramsey crying scene, although emotionally taxing, became a standout for its raw authenticity. Ironically, it wasn’t sadness that helped them cry—it was joy.

🎬 “I’ve tried using sad personal memories, but that doesn’t work for me—it takes me out of Ellie’s world,” Ramsey explained. “Instead, I remembered the happiest moments I’ve shared with Pedro Pascal—our time together shooting season one, our first meetings, the laughter. Those memories, through the lens of loss, were the saddest. Not just losing Joel, but losing Pedro from the daily experience too.”

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey’s on-screen chemistry has long been praised by fans of HBO’s The Last of Us. Their real-life friendship has clearly shaped the emotional core of the series. In a recent Hollywood Reporter feature, Ramsey reflected on their bond.

🗣 “Knowing from the start that Pedro and I wouldn’t be filming together forever made us treasure our time more,” they said. “We’ll always be in each other’s lives and hearts.”

With Pascal’s character Joel now gone, Bella Ramsey has stepped into the spotlight as the show’s central figure. But despite leading one of television’s most acclaimed series, Ramsey remains grounded.

📢 “I wouldn’t say I’m a leader,” they noted. “But I do take that responsibility seriously. Being No. 1 on the call sheet as a young person can come with assumptions, but I want everyone on set to feel equally important and valued.”

As The Last of Us season 2 continues to unfold, Bella Ramsey’s emotional depth and leadership are earning widespread praise—not just for portraying Ellie, but for helping shape the show’s heart and tone.

📺 Don’t miss new episodes of The Last of Us season 2, airing Sundays on HBO and streaming on Max.