Bella Ramsey Bio
Isabella May Ramsey (born 25 September 2003) is an English actor who rose to international prominence as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and as Ellie in The Last of Us. They have led television series, voiced animated protagonists, appeared in feature films, and received multiple major award nominations along with industry recognition such as inclusion on the Time 100 Next list and Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe.
Early Life and Background
Isabella May Ramsey was born in Nottingham, England, and was raised in Leicestershire. Their family environment was musical and creative; Ramsey has said they have an older sister and that their household encouraged art, music and performance.
Ramsey trained in local amateur theatre and joined the Television Workshop in Nottingham at age ten, which provided early acting training and support for auditions. At age twelve they moved to the online school King’s InterHigh to balance education and acting commitments, citing that the flexible programme allowed them to continue developing professionally while studying.
Path to Celebrity
Ramsey’s early training and stage experience led to professional screen auditions while still a child, culminating in their first major casting for a global television drama. Early exposure to workshops and local theatre established a foundation in performance and voice work.
Between 2016 and 2022 Ramsey built a diverse résumé across television, animation and film, expanding from powerful supporting scenes into leading roles and voice performance. That period included consecutive projects that showcased range and facilitated a transition to high-profile international work.
Bella Ramsey Career
Early Career (2016–2022)
Ramsey began their professional career in 2016 with a high-profile debut as young noble Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. Critics and production figures praised the performance, and the role quickly expanded from a brief appearance into a recurring supporting character across subsequent seasons.
While appearing on Game of Thrones, Ramsey took a leading television role as Mildred Hubble in the CBBC series The Worst Witch and won the British Academy Children’s Award for Best Young Performer for that work. During this stage they also took supporting film roles and voice parts that demonstrated versatility, including work in animated and feature projects.
Game of Thrones Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Ramsey’s portrayal of Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones was widely noted as a breakthrough performance. Initially cast for a single scene in the sixth season, their portrayal prompted the production to expand the character, and the role became a recurring presence through the seventh and eighth seasons.
Critics described the performance as a standout among the sixth season’s newcomers, and the part established Ramsey as a memorable young actor capable of strong dramatic presence in ensemble television. The role opened doors to further leading and varied parts on television and in film.
The Worst Witch Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Concurrent with their Game of Thrones work, Ramsey led the CBBC fantasy series The Worst Witch as Mildred Hubble, a role that ran across multiple series. Their performance earned them the British Academy Children’s Award for Best Young Performer and further critical attention in the UK television landscape.
Ramsey has spoken publicly about health challenges during this period, including a struggle with anorexia nervosa while filming the series. They largely recovered and later decided to move on from the role before the show’s final series.
The Last of Us Breakthrough (2023–present)
Ramsey experienced a major international breakthrough portraying Ellie in the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us. The role brought broad critical acclaim, high-profile award nominations including Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe considerations, and industry recognition that elevated their public profile.
The Last of Us led to further award nominations and to selection for the BAFTA Breakthrough programme. Ramsey’s collaboration and on-screen chemistry with co-star Pedro Pascal were frequently highlighted by critics, and their musical contributions to the series’ soundtrack were also noted.
Acting Style and Strengths
Ramsey’s work is marked by emotional precision, expressive micro‑gestures and an ability to convey maturity beyond their years. Their training at the Television Workshop contributed to a grounded approach to character work, while voice acting has showcased control, timing and musicality.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include Ramsey’s expanded role on Game of Thrones after an initially small part, winning the BAFTA Children’s Award for Best Young Performer, and receiving multiple major nominations for The Last of Us. They were named on Time 100 Next and appeared on Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe, reflecting both creative impact and industry momentum.
Bella Ramsey Career Wins
Across television and film, Ramsey has been recognized with awards and nominations for both screen acting and voice performance. Verified wins include the British Academy Children’s Award for Best Young Performer and a Royal Television Society Award for a supporting television role.
The Worst Witch Highlights
Ramsey’s leading performance in The Worst Witch secured a BAFTA Children’s Award for Best Young Performer and helped establish them as a prominent young actor in children’s and family drama. The role demonstrated their capacity to carry a series and to engage younger audiences while also earning critical recognition.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Beyond The Worst Witch, Ramsey earned a Royal Television Society Award for Female Supporting Actor for a role in the BBC drama Time, and received nominations across major industry ceremonies for their work in The Last of Us, underscoring a growing record of peer and critical recognition.
Bella Ramsey Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ramsey has kept many details of their family private but has said they have an older sister and that their family was musically and creatively engaged in their upbringing. That background supported early interest in the arts and local stage participation.
Personal Life
Ramsey is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They have spoken about their Christian faith and its role in recovery from anorexia nervosa, and they have been open about an autism diagnosis received while filming The Last of Us, describing the diagnosis as freeing and influential in how they approach work and life.
2025 Season Performance
The year 2025 was anchored by Ramsey’s central role in the second season of The Last of Us, released in April 2025, which placed them at the center of critical discussion and further award recognition. They earned additional nominations for major industry awards for their continued portrayal of Ellie, and critics noted the increased demands of carrying more of the season’s narrative.
Media coverage in 2025 also documented episodes of hostile online commentary directed at Ramsey, part of broader conversations about public scrutiny of young actors. Professionally, Ramsey continued voice and film work during this period and expanded music activity, performing and recording both for soundtracks and collaborative projects under the musical alias Bello.
Looking ahead from 2025, Ramsey remains a prominent young performer with a range of projects across television, film and music, and with ongoing recognition from industry bodies and festival programmes.