Actor Bella Ramsey, known for their roles in The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, reflects on child stardom, living alone in London at age 22, and navigating an industry that pays performers heavily. Ramsey earned international acclaim and multiple award nominations for playing Ellie alongside Pedro Pascal.
Stepping out of the intense spotlight of adult-dominated film and television sets, actor Bella Ramsey has been adjusting to a quieter reality: unpacking boxes in a newly purchased one-bedroom flat on the edge of a suburban London park. At 22 years old, the actor, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, has spent half their life working professionally in demanding environments. That professional journey began at age 11 when they landed their first television job as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones.
Child Stardom and the Transition to Adult Roles
Legend holds that Ramsey’s fierce performance as the child noblewoman was originally intended for a single scene, but the sheer grit of the portrayal kept them on the show for three seasons, nearly until the end of its run. That same intensity resurfaced across subsequent projects, including Lena Dunham’s medieval comedy film Catherine Called Birdy and the British prison drama Time, where they played a pregnant heroin addict.
Adapted from the PlayStation video game that sold approximately one million copies within a week of its 2013 release, the dystopian drama became a massive hit upon airing in 2023.
The character is ‘naive and she’s a child, but she’s also really wise. She’s super smart and funny and dangerous and scared. Above all, you have to just love her. So that’s a tall order.’
Craig Mazin, showrunner via Elle
Navigating the Realities of Property Ownership at Age 22
While unpacking in their new London home, the actor expressed mixed emotions about securing real estate at a relatively young age.
“I’ve done it a bit early. I started working when I was 11 and I’m now 22, so it’s been 10 years, and I guess people maybe start working when they’re 21 and then buy a house when they’re 31, so I don’t know. Buying a house is impossible now, and it’s only because I ended up in this industry, that pays people too much money, that I’ve been able to do it. It just feels like a glitch in the system. I feel so embarrassed by it.”
Bella Ramsey, actor via The Guardian
Living alone serves a practical purpose for Ramsey, who notes that solitude prevents them from completely melding into the personalities of whoever happens to be around them. Between unpacking boxes and visiting a local cafe that serves jacket potatoes, the actor continues to balance the demands of a high-profile career with the quiet routines of daily life.
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