Before The Last of Us, Bella Ramsey stole the spotlight on Game of Thrones

Did you know Ellie from The Last of Us was a part of HBO's popular fantasy drama series, Game of Thrones? Yes, you heard that right. Before portraying Ellie in The Last of Us, a then eleven-year-old Bella Ramsey made their television debut in the Game of Thrones series in 2016. Bella Ramsey appeared in the last three seasons of Game of Thrones and played the role of Lady Lyanna Mormont.

For the unversed, Bella Ramsey's character in Game of Thrones, Lady Lyanna Mormont, was initially teased as a recurring guest role. Introduced in Season 6 Episode 7, The Broken Man, Lyanna Mormont was the young, assertive and fearless Lady of Bear Island. Named after Lyanna Stark, she also became the head of the House Mormont after her mother Maege Mormont died in the war of Five Kings.

Ramsey's portrayal of Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones Season 6 was iconic- their intense emotions and dialogue delivery were loved by both the fans and critics. Hence, the showrunners, David Benioff and Dan Weiss decided to cast the The Last of Us star, as a permanent cast member for the final two seasons.

In an interview with Interview Magazine, Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, and Bella Ramsey recalled some moments from the sets of Game of Thrones. Harington revealed that Ramsey did help him remember a few lines during the shoot, he said:

"I do remember you helping me out, and it being quite humiliating. But yeah, thanks for that."

So here's more about the pint-sized ruler who made the rulers of the North sweat.

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The Last of Us didn't need to convince us- Bella Ramsey was already a star

When HBO announced Ramsey as Ellie, some might have doubted the casting. Could the kid who played a stern little lady in Game of Thrones really pull off a foul-mouthed, emotionally complex teenager? Turns out the answer was a resounding yes.

Ramsey didn't just play Ellie- they became her. The dry humor, rage, and quiet moments of fear- all of it felt real. Remember the scene where Ellie tries to crack a joke while Joel stitches her up? Or the way she cried her heart out and pleaded for help when Abby killed Joel in The Last of Us Season 2 Episode 2? That wasn't just good acting- that was someone who understood the role.

Well, it's not quite surprising, Ramsey had proven their talent in Game of Thrones. Their portrayal of Lady Lyanna Mormont wasn't of some sassy teenager, but a leader who carried the weight of her house on her shoulders. Sounds familiar? In The Last of Us, Ellie does carry the weight of the world.

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What happened to Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones?

It's a fact that Game of Thrones had a habit of killing off characters before we could even love them. But Lyanna Mormont? She walked in, delivered maybe five strong lines, and became an icon. From bravely pledging her loyalty to the Starks to speaking in the Northern Councils in a room full of grown men, Lyanna proved she was a true ruler despite her age.

Who else could stare down right at Jon Snow and Sansa Stark and make them look like the nervous ones? Who could shame grown men into going to war with a single speech? Ramsey played Lyanna with a perfect mix of steel and vulnerability.

Her death scene? Heartbreaking. Crushed by a zombie giant, she still did not give up and fought until death. In Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3, the young lady of Bear bravely took down a zombie giant wight at the Battle of Winterfell. Lyanna managed to fatally stab the giant in the eye with a dragonglass dagger before she was crushed to death. Iconic? Isn't it?

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From Bear Island to Boston: Bella Ramsey's iconic journey

It's rare for an actor to land two iconic roles in HBO's biggest shows. But Ramsey didn't just luck into it- they earned it.

Lyanna proved they could command a room. Ellie proved they could carry a show. Both characters demanded toughness, but also a flicker of something deeper- the fear beneath the bravado, loneliness behind the stubbornness. Ramsey nailed it every time

Some of the other notable projects of the now 21-year-old star include Catherine Called Birdy, Hilda, Time, Impact Winter, Villain, Requiem, and more.

Also read: "I live for that sort of thing," says Bella Ramsey when asked about her fight scene in The Last of Us Season 2