Bella Ramsey reveals that they received an autism diagnosis amidst the filming of the inaugural season of HBO's acclaimed post-apocalyptic series, The Last of Us. The Emmy-nominated actress, who stars in the highly praised drama, shares that a crew member, whose daughter is autistic, perceived Ramsey to have autism as well. This perception prompted Ramsey to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, ultimately leading to an official diagnosis.
"I was diagnosed with autism while shooting the first season of The Last of Us," Ramsey confided in British Vogue during a recent profile. This revelation validated something Ramsey admits they had "always pondered," given their feelings of outsidership at school, and the "sensory challenges typical of those on the autism spectrum, coupled with an intense awareness of others' subtle facial expressions and body language."
Ramsey believes this condition actually aids their acting endeavors. "I've constantly been observing and gaining insights from people," they expressed. "Having to learn the nuances of socializing and interacting with those around me manually has enhanced my acting skills," they continued, describing the diagnosis as "liberating... It allows me to navigate the world with more self-compassion, understanding that I may struggle with everyday tasks that come naturally to others."
Regarding disclosing their diagnosis, Ramsey asserts, "There's no reason to keep it hidden."
In The Last of Us, Ramsey portrays Ellie, a young survivor of an apocalyptic plague that has devastated humankind. Following the first season, Ramsey made history as the first non-binary actor to be nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
At the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival earlier this month, Ramsey teased how Ellie's relationship with Joel (Pedro Pascal) has evolved after five years have passed in the show's universe. "Their bond has shifted slightly, and we start to see why," Ramsey said. "They're not best friends anymore. She's quite sad. But friendships have many complex layers."
