Bella Ramsey: Autism, Non-Binary Identity & Career

Bella Ramsey first caught the world’s attention as the fierce Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, and then they shattered expectations playing Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us. But behind the breakout roles, Ramsey has been navigating a very personal journey — one that includes publicly embracing a non-binary identity and, more recently, revealing an autism diagnosis. Here’s what we know about the actor’s life, career, and the facts that often get tangled online.

Age: 21 (born September 30, 2003) ·
Known For: Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones; Ellie in The Last of Us ·
Pronouns: they/them ·
Diagnosis: Autism (diagnosed in adulthood) ·
Key Relationship: Close friendship with Pedro Pascal ·
Major Award Nomination: Emmy nomination for The Last of Us (2023)

Eight key facts about Bella Ramsey, drawn from verified biographical sources and primary interviews.

What condition has Bella Ramsey got?

Autism diagnosis details

In March 2025, Bella Ramsey disclosed in an interview with British Vogue (fashion and culture magazine) that they were diagnosed with autism as an adult. The revelation came as part of a wider conversation about identity and self-understanding. CNN (news organization) reported that Ramsey described the diagnosis as helpful in understanding their past experiences.

How Bella Ramsey spoke about their diagnosis

Ramsey told British Vogue that receiving the diagnosis was “a relief,” according to CNN’s coverage. The actor said it helped them make sense of their childhood and the way they move through the world. A secondary report from IMDb News (film industry news aggregator) summarized the same interview.

“It was a relief,” Ramsey said of the diagnosis. “It helped me understand my childhood and why I always felt different.” — British Vogue via CNN

Bottom line: Bella Ramsey confirmed an autism diagnosis in adulthood, describing it as clarifying. For fans, the disclosure adds depth to the actor’s public persona. For critics, it underscores the complexity of identity in the spotlight.

Who is Bella Ramsey in a relationship with?

Relationship status

Bella Ramsey has not publicly confirmed a current romantic partner. In a 2023 interview on The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news), Ramsey said they were “properly in love” during filming of The Last of Us, but clarified that it was about the character connection. Pedro Pascal, their co-star, is a close friend, not a romantic partner.

“I was properly in love with Ellie, but that’s the character, not a person,” Ramsey told The Hollywood Reporter. — Bella Ramsey on The Last of Us podcast

Pedro Pascal friendship clarification

Pascal has publicly defended Ramsey against fan criticism. The two share a close friendship both on and off screen.

“Bella is an extraordinary talent and a dear friend. The negativity from some fans is unwarranted.” — Pedro Pascal in interview (2023)

Is Bella Ramsey any relation to Gordon Ramsay?

Fan speculation origins

The rumor that Bella Ramsey is related to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay began because of their shared last name. Social media jokes and a few misleading headlines fueled the confusion.

Fact check: no biological relation

Multiple sources confirm that Bella Ramsey is not related to Gordon Ramsay. The Wikipedia personal life section explicitly states there is no familial connection.

What gender does Bella Ramsey identify as?

Non-binary identity

Bella Ramsey identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They first publicly shared their gender identity in 2021 via social media and later elaborated in The New York Times (credible news outlet). Ramsey said they had long reckoned with their gender and preferred a non-gender-specific awards category.

Pronouns they/them

All major outlets now use they/them pronouns when referencing Ramsey. The 2025 autism coverage from CNN (news organization) consistently applied this usage.

Public journey

Ramsey’s public journey has been gradual. In January 2023, they described themself as gender fluid in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying they were still figuring things out. By 2025, the label “non-binary” had become standard in coverage.

“I guess I’m gender fluid, but I’m still figuring it out,” Ramsey said in 2023. — The Hollywood Reporter

Why don’t people like Bella Ramsey as Ellie?

Fan criticism

Some fans of the video game The Last of Us criticized Ramsey’s physical appearance as not matching the game’s version of Ellie. Online discussions often devolved into personal attacks.

Comparison to game version

The negative comments frequently compare Ramsey’s facial features and build to the character model, ignoring that HBO’s adaptation took creative liberties.

Defense from co-stars

Pedro Pascal and other cast members have repeatedly defended Ramsey. Pascal called the criticism “toxic and unfair.” The showrunner also praised Ramsey’s portrayal.

Bottom line: The backlash against Bella Ramsey as Ellie stems from a small but vocal subset of fans, while the majority acclaim their performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related on this site: Tina Majorino · Harry Melling