The first season of HBO’s The Last of Us has unfortunately come to an end. However, the writers already have plans for season two. Especially concerning Bella Ramsey’s role as Ellie.
This news comes after executive producer and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann spoke in a press conference recently. Alongside showrunner Craig Mazin, the pair discussed if Ramsey would be recast to cater to the sequel’s time-skip.
However, Druckmann and Mazin are adamant that season two of The Last of Us will have Ramsey at the forefront. This makes sense not only because Ramsey received rave reviews for their portrayal of Ellie but also because the actor is currently 19 – the same age as Ellie in The Last of Us Part 2.
The Last of Us Season 2 Will Star Bella Ramsey
Here is what Druckmann had to say:
“When we made the game, I felt we were incredibly lucky,” he said. “It was like lightning in the bottle that we found Ashley Johnson. I can’t imagine that version of Ellie being anybody else. And then somehow we got lightning in the bottle again with Bella.
“We are extremely lucky to have Bella and the stuff you saw throughout this entire season. The only way we would ever, ever consider recasting Bella is if she said, ‘I don’t want to work with you guys anymore.’ Even then, I’m not sure we would grant her that. We might still force her to come back to Season 2.”
Plans for season two
Additionally, speculation has also arisen over the format for season two. With the big time skip in the game’s sequel, Druckmann and Mazin have been asked what their plans are. As a result, Mazin has previously said that season two will be “more than a season’s worth of television.”
As a result, the events of The Last of Us Part 2 may span across more than one season. Mazin has also hinted that they aren’t afraid to make some parts “radically” different from the game. However, with their success in adapting episode three of season one into Bill and Frank’s story, this is exciting news.
Despite everything, the pair are sure one thing won’t change. Ramsey as the game’s protagonist, Ellie.
“[Season 2] will be different just as this season was different,” Mazin said. “Sometimes it will be different radically, and sometimes it [won’t] be fairly different at all, but it’s going to be different. It will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make, but we are making it with Bella.”
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