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The Last of Us's Bella Ramsey struggles to cry on camera - here's what they did for THAT season 2 scene

In case you haven't already seen it/had it spoiled for you, we are getting into some major spoilers for The Last of Us, season 2, episode 2. You've been warned

Last Of Us Bella Ramsey Season 2 Crying — Image credit: HBO

News by Grant DeArmitt, Staff Writer

Published on Wed Apr 23 2025

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Major spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 2 ahead.

Wow. In a show that has consistently emotional and gut-wrenching, we may have just watched our most emotional and gut-wrenching episode yet. In the second episode of The Last of Us season 2, which aired on April 20, we witnessed the brutal death of Joel, the character played by the beloved Pedro Pascal who has been the show's father figure since episode one. All of us at home were crying, and the characters onscreen were just as teary-eyed.

But here's the thing - Bella Ramsey, who is now the main character of the series, Ellie, has a thing about crying on screen. According to the actor themselves, they're not great at it. So what did they do to drive home the emotional moment for the viewer? Luckily for us fans, they were happy to explain.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published April 22, Ramsey was upfront about their struggles going full waterworks for a scene. "I really struggle with crying in scenes," said the Game of Thrones actor, "I can get a tear out, but that’s different than crying." Fortunately, they had something to draw on from real life to bring them to a vulnerable place: their real-life love for co-star Pascal.

"I remembered the happiest of memories that I’ve had with Pedro," Ramsey explains. "The thing that is always the saddest to me is remembering the happy things. I was remembering us the first few times we met and shooting season one. I was remembering all of that and through the lens of losing him."

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go cry again after learning this information. Not all of us need an extra push, Bella!

The Lats of Us, season 2 is streaming (like tears!) on Max right now.

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Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. As Popverse's Staff Writer, he criss-crosses the pop culture landscape bringing you the news and opinions about the big things (and the next big things). In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.