Last of Us star describes fame as 'a bit mad'

Last of Us star Bella Ramsey has said they still have not got used to seeing themselves on billboards and the front cover of magazines.

The 21-year-old is about to return to television screens, reprising the role of Ellie in the smash-hit drama about the survivors of an apocalypse where most humans have been turned into zombies by a parasitic fungus.

The spotlight has been on Ramsey, whose family home is in Leicestershire, ahead of the start of the second season on Monday, with the actor's face seemingly everywhere.

"Yeah, it's a bit mad to be honest, " they told BBC Radio Leicester.

"I was just on the Tube and saw the billboard [with my face] and I was like, 'Oh my gosh.'

"It's just a weird feeling. I sort of disassociate from it, like seeing my face around, it's like, 'Oh, there I am again'.

"But like, it's not really me, it's just like, it's a bit odd."

Ramsey, who previously won fans for their portrayal as fierce child-warrior Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, said they felt fortunate to be part of another block-busting show.

"It's really special to be part of something that's like so beloved by so many people and means a lot to so many people," they said.

"I'm excited for people to see the scale of season two, it's so much bigger. There's a lot of stunt work, so much action, lots of emotional stuff.

"So yeah, I think it's a really, like, rich show."

Ramsey added: "I'm quite good at keeping the spoiler secrets. I think I'm not very good at keeping my own secrets, so keeping the show's secrets is something that I take pride in and quite enjoy.

"There's a certain power that comes with knowing everything that's going to happen and being like, you're just going to have to wait and see."

Ramsey also praised Last of Us co-star Pedro Pascal who portrays mercenary Joel with whom Ellie develops a father-daughter relationship as the pair try to evade death at the hands of zombies and other human survivors.

Ramsey, who is originally from Nottingham, added: "I feel so lucky that I got to work with him in this way and have this bond with him and this connection."

Ramsey added Pascal was "an absolute joy to be around on set", adding: "I literally couldn't have done it without him."

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