While Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) shocking death in The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2, left audiences reeling, Bella Ramsey recently revealed that an entirely different moment proved to be their most emotionally difficult scene to film.

In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ramsey — who plays Ellie in the HBO hit series — opened up about the intense grief scene in Episode 3 of Season 2, where Ellie visits Joel’s house and mourns his absence. In the quiet moment, Ellie smells one of Joel’s jackets in his closet — a poignant visual that captures the depth of her sorrow.

Why This Scene Was So Difficult for Bella Ramsey

“Oh God, in the closet, that was the hardest [scene],” Ramsey said. “I really struggle with crying in scenes. I can get a tear out, but that’s different to crying… A very, very limited amount of people in my life will see me cry. And so having to do that on a set full of people with the monitor and then more people watching the monitors… it’s virtually impossible for me.”

Rather than tapping into personal sadness, Ramsey leaned into their on-screen and off-screen bond with Pedro Pascal to deliver the raw emotion needed.

“I was remembering us the first few times that we met, and the whole of shooting Season 1 together… I was remembering all of that through the lens of losing him — not just Joel and Ellie, but like me and Pedro — because the memories of me and Pedro and Joel and Ellie are so intertwined for me,” they added.

Joel’s Death Still Shocks ‘The Last of Us’ Fans

The Last of Us Season 2 closely follows the controversial storyline of the video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II (2020), in which Joel is brutally killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever). Although the show remains faithful to the game, Pedro Pascal’s performance — and his character’s relationship with Ellie — has only amplified the emotional impact for viewers.

Pedro Pascal Reflects on Filming His Final Scene

Pascal also spoke about his final day on set, recalling the weight of stepping into character one last time.

“I’ve never experienced anything like I did that day,” Pascal told Entertainment Weekly. “I stepped onto set in full makeup and then killed the vibe completely… I really could see this sort of grief take over everyone’s look in their eyes.”

What’s Next for Ellie in The Last of Us Season 2?

As Season 2 of The Last of Us continues airing on HBO, Ellie’s journey through grief, rage, and healing is expected to deepen. Episode 3 marks a turning point, and Bella Ramsey’s performance is earning widespread acclaim for capturing the emotional complexity of loss.