Sun Mar 23 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Star Bella Ramsey Reveals Autism Diagnosis
**Austin, TX** – Bella Ramsey, the Emmy-nominated star of HBO’s hit series *The Last of Us*, has revealed they were diagnosed with autism during the filming of the show’s first season. In a new profile with British Vogue, Ramsey shared that a crew member, whose daughter is autistic, suspected Ramsey might also be on the spectrum. This prompted Ramsey to seek a professional assessment, which confirmed the diagnosis.
Ramsey, who plays the central character Ellie in the post-apocalyptic drama, stated that the diagnosis explained long-held feelings of being an outsider and sensory sensitivities they had experienced throughout their life. They believe their autism has actually been beneficial to their acting career, stating that their heightened awareness of social cues and their meticulous observation of others has enhanced their performance. The diagnosis, Ramsey said, has also been personally liberating, allowing them to approach life with more self-compassion.
The actor, who made history as the first non-binary performer nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series for their role in *The Last of Us*, also teased the upcoming second season at the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival, hinting at a more complex dynamic between Ellie and Joel (Pedro Pascal) in the years following the first season’s events.
Season two of *The Last of Us* premieres April 13th on HBO and Max.
First Piper 