Bella Ramsey

Isabella May Ramsey (born September 2003) is an English actor. They are known for their breakthrough role as young noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy television series '' Game of Thrones'' (2016–2019) and Ellie in the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series '' The Last of Us'' (2023–present). They received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the latter.

Ramsey played Mildred Hubble in the 2017 CBBC series '' The Worst Witch'', voiced the title role in the Netflix animated series '' Hilda'' (2018–2023), and starred in the 2022 historical comedy film '' Catherine Called Birdy''. The latter earned them a nomination for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer.

Early life

Isabella May Ramsey was born in Nottingham in September 2003. They underwent secondary education via the online school King's InterHigh. Ramsey started acting as a hobby at the age of four, through the Loughborough branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, which they attended for seven years. They then went to the Television Workshop and began auditioning for professional roles.

Career

From 2016 to 2019, Ramsey portrayed Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy drama television series '' Game of Thrones''. The part is Ramsey's first credited role. After their debut appearance in " The Broken Man" ( season 6, episode 7), fans and critics noted Ramsey was a standout actor for portraying their character's no-nonsense leadership style. This reaction was repeated after their appearance in the season finale, with ''The Hollywood Reporter'' calling them "season 6's breakout star". Ramsey continued in the role for the series' seventh and eighth seasons.

Ramsey starred in the 2017 TV adaptation of '' The Worst Witch'' books, as the titular character Mildred Hubble, for which they won the Young Performer award at the 2019 British Academy Children's Awards. Their role was recast with Lydia Page for the fourth and final season.

Ramsey voiced the title character in the 2018 Netflix original series '' Hilda'', for which they won the 2019 BAFTA award for best "Children's Animation" along with Luke Pearson, Kurt Mueller, and Stephanie Simpson. The series marked the debut of Ramsey's singing talent, with their debut song "The Life of Hilda" released on 25 November 2020, and later on 14 December 2020 along with the release of the show's second season. They reprised the role of Hilda in the 80-minute movie special, '' Hilda and the Mountain King'', which premiered on 30 December 2021.

In February 2021, Ramsey was cast in the lead role of Ellie for the HBO adaptation of the 2013 video game '' The Last of Us'' alongside fellow ''Game of Thrones'' alumnus Pedro Pascal. In 2021, they appeared in the lesbian horror short film '' Requiem'' alongside Safia Oakley-Green. In July 2023, they were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, for their portrayal in '' The Last of Us''. Ramsey considered withdrawing due to the lack of non-gendered categories following Liv Hewson's withdrawal for '' Yellowjackets'', but decided to contend for Lead Actress after discussions with showrunner Craig Mazin, not wanting limited language to prevent celebrating non-binary performers; Ramsey's was the second non-binary acting nomination and the first for a leading role at time of nomination. In September 2023, Ramsey was included on ''Time''s 100 Next list; fellow non-binary actor Emma D'Arcy praised their acting skills and called them "an inspiring figure in the LGBTQIA+ community".

Personal life

Ramsey identifies as non-binary. While they stated that they/them pronouns are "the most truthful thing for me", they are indifferent to which pronouns are used for them, telling others to "call me how you see me". Regarding their sexuality, Ramsey said they are "not 100 per cent straight. I'm a little bit wavy".

Ramsey is Christian and says that their faith helped in their struggle with anorexia nervosa. They took part in a "full-immersion" baptism. However, Ramsey's faith has become "a lot quieter" since 2023. In 2020, they ran a YouTube channel and related Instagram account called United Hope where they shared their faith. Ramsey was diagnosed as autistic when they were 18, while filming the first season of ''The Last of Us'', and has said that being neurodivergent has "massively" influenced their career and performances.

Ramsey stated they wore a breast binder 90% of the time they filmed ''The Last of Us'', saying it helped them "concentrate" although it "probably isn't healthy". While filming ''The Last of Us'', they developed a close friendship with actor Pedro Pascal; Ramsey found the second season "a lonelier experience" due to their separation.

Ramsey is a vegetarian, self-described as "vegan-ish"; they were vegan for a number of years, having been raised as pescatarian, though they occasionally eat free-range eggs due to allergies. They are an outspoken advocate for veganism. Ramsey plays the guitar and sings.

Advocacy

Ramsey has used their platform to support the Palestinian cause. They signed a Queer Artists for Palestine letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemning " pinkwashing", and pledging to "stand firmly with alestiniansin their call for dignity and self-determination" and boycott Israel.

In response to the April 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling in '' For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers'' on the definition of woman in the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent EHRC guidance, Ramsey was one of over 400 film and television professionals to sign an open letter pledging "solidarity with the trans, non-binary and intersex communities" and condemning both actions.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Radio and podcasts

Discography

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramsey, Bella
2003 births
Living people
21st-century English actors
21st-century English LGBTQ people
Actors from Nottingham
Autistic actors
English child actors
English Christians
English film actors
English LGBTQ actors
English non-binary actors
English television actors
English veganism activists
English voice actors
Genderfluid actors
Non-binary Christians