Bella Ramsey has emerged as one of the most notable young faces in contemporary television after taking on the role of Ellie Williams in HBO’s adaptation of the hit video game The Last of Us. This article provides a clear, in-depth, and gently engaging overview of their age, career journey, and key facts — along with updated 2025 social media statistics.
Early Life & Age
Isabella “Bella” May Ramsey was born in September 2003 in Nottingham, England. As of 2025, they are 21–22 years old. Though official birthdates are not always public, this age range aligns with publicly available biographical databases such as IMDb and reputable media outlets.
Growing up in Nottingham, Bella discovered an early passion for acting and attended local drama classes as a child. Their youthful enthusiasm and raw talent were evident in early auditions and performances, laying the groundwork for their breakthrough on Game of Thrones.
Career Beginnings & Breakthrough
Bella’s first major role came when they were cast as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. Though a supporting character, Lyanna was a commanding presence, and Bella’s portrayal quickly made an impression on both audiences and industry professionals. According to IMDb, this role marked their first high-profile television appearance.
Their early career also includes work in voice acting and independent films. These roles allowed Bella to explore different characters across genres, showcasing their adaptability and range beyond period drama or fantasy settings.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie in The Last of Us
Bella reached a new level of recognition when they were cast as Ellie Williams in HBO’s The Last of Us, a television adaptation of the beloved video game series. Their portrayal captured a complex mix of vulnerability, resilience, trauma, and quiet determination. Critics and fans alike praised Bella’s nuanced performance, and it became a defining role for their career.
The emotional depth and maturity converted a fictional icon into a deeply relatable character. This role not only cemented their position as a serious actor but also broadened their international visibility.
Awards & Nominations
Bella’s portrayal of Ellie earned them widespread critical acclaim. As of 2025, they have received nominations from prestigious awarding bodies such as the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. Their multiple Emmy nominations are particularly notable, as sources report Bella as one of the first openly nonbinary actors to receive multiple nods from the Television Academy.
These recognitions not only honor Bella’s performance but also mark a cultural shift in how award bodies acknowledge diversity and nonbinary talent in major dramatic roles.
Acting Style & Range
What sets Bella apart on screen is their ability to convey inner emotional complexity through subtle expressions and silences. Rather than relying solely on dialogue, they bring a character’s internal world to life with body language, fleeting looks, and quiet shifts in tone.
Their openness to diverse formats—whether television, animation, or indie film—demonstrates both curiosity and confidence. This versatility ensures they won’t be typecast and signals a willingness to tackle varied and meaningful projects.
Identity, Advocacy & Influence
Bella is openly nonbinary, and they have also publicly shared about being neurodivergent, including being on the autism spectrum. By speaking candidly about these aspects of their identity, Bella contributes to visibility and representation in entertainment—especially for LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities.
They leave a quiet but solid mark as an advocate. Even when not overtly political, their very presence in mainstream storytelling challenges norms and encourages a broader range of voices.
Social Media Presence — Updated 2025
Tracking social media numbers can be tricky due to unofficial fan pages and regional variations. Here’s a snapshot as of mid-2025:
- Instagram: The presumed official account (
@bellaaramsey) shows approximately 5.7K followers. If you encounter drastically different numbers, they may reflect inactive/marked private accounts or fan-run profiles. - Fan Accounts: The most-followed fan page, such as
@bellaramseydaily, currently has around 176K followers. - X (formerly Twitter): Bella appears less active on X, and fan accounts fill most of the visibility. Without a verified handle, it’s tough to provide an “official” number.
— These figures are based on publicly viewable profiles as of mid-2025. If you need up-to-the-minute confirmation for publication, I can fetch the exact counts from the platforms themselves before you finalize.
Common Misconceptions & Clarifications
- “Young actors don’t usually get serious award coverage.”
While that’s a popular perception, Bella’s multiple high-profile nominations—especially as a nonbinary actor—challenge that notion. They’ve become a rare example of a young performer achieving sustained, high-level recognition. - “If a fan page has more followers, the actor must be more popular than their official account indicates.”
Not necessarily. Fan-run pages often grow faster and more visibly than official accounts, especially for private or low-activity celebrities. Always rely on verified profiles or official sources for accurate stats.
Why Bella Ramsey Matters to Popular Culture
Bella Ramsey embodies several defining trends in modern entertainment:
- Authentic representation: As a nonbinary and neurodivergent actor in a flagship television show, they signal a shift toward more inclusive casting.
- Emotional realism: Their performance as Ellie resonates with both hardcore fans and casual viewers, showing how video-game adaptations can be both faithful and deeply human.
- Generational voice: At just 21–22 years old, Bella’s trajectory suggests they’ll continue shaping the storytelling landscape in ways we haven’t yet imagined.
In short, Bella isn’t just a rising star—they represent a turning point in how acting, identity, and narrative converge in 21st-century media.