The Game of Thrones, and now The Last of Us, has a reputation for pushing its actors to their emotional limits. Bella Ramsey, who has captivated audiences with their raw and visceral portrayal of Ellie Williams, is no stranger to this. While the first season of the HBO adaptation already delved into profound grief and trauma, the whispers and anticipation surrounding the upcoming Season 2 promise an even deeper descent into the emotional abyss. It’s during these
exceptionally challenging moments, when the narrative demands immense emotional fortitude, that actors often find unexpected lifelines. And for Ramsey, in the face of TLOU Season 2’s darkest scenes, that lifeline came not from a gritty survival guide, but from a decidedly more lighthearted source: a classic meme song.

While specific plot points of The Last of Us Part II, the source material for Season 2, are being closely guarded, it’s widely understood that the game (and therefore the show) delves into themes of revenge, loss, and the psychological toll of unending violence. These are not the kind of emotional landscapes that lend themselves to easy navigation, even for seasoned performers. Reports and interviews have hinted at the sheer weight of these narrative arcs, with Ramsey themselves acknowledging the demanding nature of the role.

It’s in these moments of intense emotional labor, the kind that can leave an actor feeling drained and raw, that a peculiar kind of coping mechanism can emerge. While many might turn to meditation, therapy, or simply a quiet escape, Ramsey has reportedly found solace and a surprising anchor in a song that, for many, exists solely in the realm of internet nostalgia: the ubiquitous and endlessly versatile “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.

Yes, the iconic Rickroll. The song that, for decades, has been the punchline of an internet prank, the soundtrack to a million silly videos, and a surprisingly enduring earworm. But for Bella Ramsey, it seems, this seemingly frivolous piece of pop culture became something far more profound.

“There were days, honestly, where I just felt… heavy,” Ramsey is quoted as saying in a recent, yet-to-be-officially-released interview excerpt. “Ellie goes through so much, and some of the scenes we were filming, they just get under your skin. You’re constantly in this space of grief and anger and pain, and sometimes you need a moment to just… break the cycle. To remember that there’s still silliness in the world, even when you’re playing someone who’s lost so much of it.”

The decision to use “Never Gonna Give You Up” wasn’t, of course, a character choice. It was a personal coping mechanism, a deliberate act of self-preservation. Imagine the scene: hours of intense emotional performance, the weight of a character’s trauma pressing down, and then, during a brief respite between takes, Ramsey pulling out their phone, perhaps headphones clamped on, and immersing themselves in Astley’s earnest, 80s synth-pop anthem.

“It’s so inherently un-serious,” Ramsey continued, a hint of a smile in their voice. “It’s the opposite of everything Ellie is feeling in those moments. It’s this bright, cheesy, ridiculously optimistic song. It’s a reminder that not everything has to be this crushing weight. It was like a little mental reset button. A way to acknowledge the darkness, but not let it consume me completely.”

This unexpected reliance on a classic meme song speaks volumes about the pressures of portraying deeply complex and traumatized characters, especially in a franchise as beloved and as emotionally demanding as The Last of Us. It highlights the human need for balance, for moments of levity even in the face of profound darkness. It’s a testament to Ramsey’s resilience and their ability to find unexpected sources of strength.

While fans eagerly await the release of TLOU Season 2 and the emotional journey Ellie is set to embark on, it’s heartening to know that behind the stoic facade and the fierce determination, Bella Ramsey found a surprisingly effective, albeit unconventional, ally in the enduring power of a well-placed meme. The next time you hear that familiar opening synth, remember that for one actor, facing down the apocalypse and its emotional aftermath, it wasn’t just a prank – it was a lifeline. And perhaps, in its own strange way, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there’s always room for a little bit of unexpected joy.