Bella Ramsey Discusses Challenges of Filming The Last of Us Season Two

Bella Ramsey has opened up about filming season two of *The Last of Us* and how it was a lot tougher than what she experienced with season one.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for episode two and episode six of *The Last of Us* season two.

Season two's bittersweet moments

In episode six, fans were taken on an emotional ride when Pedro Pascal's Joel made a return in touching flashback scenes. It was a bittersweet moment that tugged at everyone's hearts.

After Joel's tragic death at the hands of Firefly Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, in episode two, many thought it was goodbye forever. But episode six brought a pleasant surprise with a full flashback episode, highlighting the deep bond between Ellie and Joel during the time jump between the first and second season.

Fans rejoiced at seeing more of Ellie and Joel together, but it also hit home that this might be their last shared scenes. For Bella Ramsey, who shares a close friendship with Pedro Pascal, this realization was particularly touching.

The special bond between Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal

Ellie and Joel have quickly become one of TV's most loved pairs. In a chat with British GQ, Bella Ramsey, who's just 21, shared how much Joel's exit affected her while filming season two.

"Every moment with Pedro was special," Ramsey shared. "There was this sense of an end nearing... Knowing we might never get to do [this] again felt like a kind of grief."

Since the show started, Pascal and Ramsey have developed a genuine friendship off-screen, often praising each other publicly.

"We've spent so much time together and really leaned on each other during this incredible journey. Even though we both appeared in *Game of Thrones*, this felt different—like it changed our lives," Ramsey continued.

Their real-life connection added authenticity to their on-screen performances, greatly enriching the series. Ramsey found it challenging not having Pascal around during filming of the second season and appreciated their shared moments even more.

"I definitely felt his absence. Every time he returned for a scene, I realized just how much I missed him and valued him as a constant in season one," Ramsey said.

Looking back, Ramsey acknowledged how grateful she was for Pascal's support during the first season. "I knew I was thankful for Pedro, but his absence this season made that clear. Reflecting on season one, I thought, 'Wow, I don't know how I would've managed without you, especially now that I'm doing season two without you… and it's been harder.'

Navigating the challenges of season two

Season two of *The Last of Us* brought its own set of challenges for Bella Ramsey. "Season two was more difficult for me in many aspects, but a major part was not having Pedro there. Losing such a key dynamic and familiar presence made it harder," Ramsey explained.

Joel's absence altered the dynamic on set, adding to Ramsey's struggles. But even with these hurdles, the season has managed to keep audiences hooked with its powerful storytelling and emotional depth.

*The Last of Us* continues its gripping story every Sunday on HBO in the United States and on Mondays on NOW in the United Kingdom. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts and join in meaningful discussions about the series.