It's heartbreaking. Bella Ramsey's role on Last of Us is shrinking, but her new TV show seems perfect.

I've been thinking a lot about Bella Ramsey recently. Since their stunning debut as Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, their trajectory has been interesting to watch: a really generational talent carving out a space for nuanced young heroines in genre television. Ramsey's portrayal of Ellie in The Last Of Us sealed the deal for me; they weren't simply playing a character; they were Ellie, channeling every ounce of the character's wrath, fragility, and strong love from the games into something terribly personal. The news of Ellie's considerably limited appearance in Season 3 hits deep. Like many fans, I felt a sense of disappointment. Ramsey established the emotional core of this show, and the prospect of approaching the franchise's cataclysmic climax without their fundamental intensity feels like a seismic departure.

However, true talents like Ramsey do not remain down for long. The universe seemed determined to give Bella Ramsey the spotlight she deserves with the lead role in the new horror series Maya. On paper, it appears to be wonderful alchemy: Ramsey collaborating with Breeders star Daisy Haggard on a project rife with mother-daughter friction and survivalist anxiety. Losing Ellie's prominence is a bummer, but Maya serves as the ideal counterweight, perhaps providing Ramsey with the kind of rich, adult-driven narrative they've demonstrated they can handle.

The Bittersweet Reality of Ellie's Fading Spotlight in The Last of Us

Neil Druckmann's Departure and the Narrative Shrinkage

Let's not sugarcoat it: Bella Ramsey's confirmation of "not a whole bunch" of screen time in The Last of Us season 3 is disappointing (via Variety). Season 2's end expertly accomplished the gut-punch shift away from Ellie just as her search for Abby reached a fever pitch - Tommy threatened, Jesse slain, and Ellie screamed into the rain-soaked darkness. Ramsey threw everything into that final showdown, intensifying Ellie's hopeless rage and shattered sadness. Ramsey described the shoot as follows: "It was a crazy moment... seeing Abby... but the tables have turned." The perfection of such performance is exactly why drawing them back feels so harsh.

This narrative shift, mirroring the game's focus on Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) for its middle act, was always intended, but knowing that co-creator Neil Druckmann - Ellie's original creator - is leaving the show to focus on Naughty Dog's "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet" adds another layer of melancholy. Druckmann had an important role in bringing this character's spirit to the screen. While Craig Mazin is wonderful, this move makes Ellie's path in season 3 feel dangerously unhinged. Ramsey had possibly the most memorable performance of this generation in television drama over seasons 1 and 2. Seeing that screen time decrease just as we face the series' most terrible emotional consequences? It feels like a squandered chance to discuss the full ramifications of Ellie's decisions with the actor who delivered them so powerfully.

Maya Offers Bella Ramsey The Complicated Leading Role They've Earned

Mother-Daughter Drama meets Relentless Thriller

Enter Maya. On the surface, the plot seems promising: Ramsey plays the titular adolescent daughter of Daisy Haggard's Anna. Forced into witness protection and relocated from London to a rural Scottish hamlet, their fragile safety is jeopardized when hitmen follow them down. This is ideal territory for Ramsey's special abilities. We've witnessed their amazing chemistry with mentors (Pedro Pascal's Joel). We've watched them deal with tremendous grief and smoldering wrath. Maya expertly combines this with the passionate, often turbulent dynamic of a mother-daughter relationship under pressure.

Ramsey and Haggard are a winning combination. Haggard combines superb comedic timing with dramatic weight; her work on Breeders demonstrated profound emotional reserves. Ramsey thrives with sophisticated co-stars who push them. Their linked sequences delve into survival guilt, generational pain, and the desperate struggle to safeguard what family you have left. This has the potential to be a television hit. As Ramsey progresses beyond Ellie's adolescence turmoil, Maya provides a riveting journey into even more difficult young adulthood. Six episodes shot in Scotland promise a short, compelling story, ideal for Ramsey's ability to convey volumes with a glance or clinched jaw.

The Lasting Disappointment of a Divisive Fantasy Casting

Kitty Pryde Speculation and Fan Reception

Amid the Last of Us season 3 shift and Maya's revelation, another rumor surfaced: Bella Ramsey will play Kitty Pryde in Marvel's X-Men revival. While scoops like this should always be viewed skeptically, the fan reaction was telling. Ramsey has expressed their want to portray a villain, adding that they want a part "as complex and layered as the Joker"... and the concept of bringing that anarchic edge to Shadowcat? Intriguing. Ramsey succeeds with characters whose ferocious determination conceals underlying vulnerability, which Kitty Pryde beautifully reflects at her core - albeit not usually with Ramsey's body.

Predictably, parts of the internet erupted. Some saw it as inspiring, citing Ramsey's ability to show fortitude and young aggression. Others recoiled, unable to envision Pryde outside the familiar. This polarization is symbolic of Ramsey's career: they defy conventional categories. Ramsey inhabits their characters with a particular intensity, whether it's Ellie's raw, unfiltered pain or Lyanna's steel-trap resolve. While the X-Men buzz remains unsubstantiated and may distract from their concrete initiatives, such as Maya, the sheer fervor of the argument demonstrates Ramsey's ability to elicit emotion and conversation - a sign of a great star.

Why Does Maya Feel Like Destiny For Bella Ramsey Right Now?

Escaping Ellie's Shadow while honing their artistry

Finally, getting away from Ellie's enormous trauma may be a blessing in disguise for Ramsey's creative development. As Ramsey defined Ellie's situation by the season 2 finale, "Ellie realizes she has become all of the parts of [Joel] that she never wanted to become." Representing that decline harms a soul. Maya, while definitely dark, provides a different type of intensity - one that may be focused on survival, protection, and the passionate love of a bond under fire. This is critical range growth after two seasons entrenched in Ellie's unique brand of caustic fury.

This next phase demonstrates Ramsey's lasting strength extends beyond any one role. Ramsey secures Maya, putting them in complete control of their trajectory. They demonstrate diversity by selectively selecting high-quality, character-driven dramas that win critical acclaim and awards recognition. While we'll miss Ramsey's depth with Ellie week after week, Maya's promise, paired with their evident talent, ensures Bella Ramsey's future. They're transitioning from breakout star to unquestionable leading force, and I, for one, can't wait to see them lead the charge in the Scottish wilderness. Maya is more than a consolation prize; it feels like the important role Ramsey needs right now.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Why does Bella Ramsey have a lower part in The Last of Us season 3?Season 3 continues the game's narrative format, focusing on Abby's point of view. Ramsey acknowledged that they will have less screen time as the plot progresses.

What is Maya about?Ramsey stars in the thriller as a teenager who is pushed into witness protection in Scotland with her mother (Daisy Haggard). When hitmen pursue them, their safety is jeopardized, putting their mother-daughter relationship to the test.

Is Bella Ramsey portraying Kitty Pryde in Marvel's X-Men?This is an unsubstantiated scoop. Rumors circulated, but Ramsey has not commented directly on the potential casting.

How did Bella Ramsey get famous?Their breakthrough performance was as the tough Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. Their Emmy-nominated lead performance as Ellie in The Last of Us propelled them to global recognition.

When will Maya be released?Filming in Scotland begins in late 2024. The official release date on Amazon Prime Video (distribution has not been established, however filming is primarily in the United Kingdom) is TBA.