Emmy-nominated actor Bella Ramsey revealed they received an autism diagnosis while filming the first season of HBO's hit series The Last of Us. The 21-year-old star shared their journey in a candid interview with British Vogue.
The path to diagnosis began when a crew member with an autistic daughter recognized similar traits in Ramsey during production. This observation prompted Ramsey to seek a formal psychiatric assessment, which confirmed what they had "always wondered" about themselves.
"I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last of Us," Ramsey told British Vogue. The actor, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, described the diagnosis as "freeing," explaining that it helps them navigate daily life with more self-compassion.
Ramsey reflected on their earlier experiences, including feeling like an outsider at school and experiencing sensory sensitivities common among people on the autism spectrum. They also noted a heightened awareness of others' micro-expressions and body language.
The actor believes their neurodivergent perspective has actually enhanced their acting abilities. "I've always been watching and learning from people," they shared. "Having to learn more manually how to socialize and interact with the people around me has helped me with acting."
While Ramsey expressed discomfort with labels regarding gender and sexuality, they feel differently about their autism diagnosis. "My experience of moving through the world is as an autistic person," they stated, adding that the diagnosis allows them to "unmask immediately" after sharing their condition with others.
Ramsey currently stars as Ellie in The Last of Us, making history as the first non-binary actor nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series. The second season of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic series is scheduled to premiere on HBO and Max this April.