The shadows of The Last of Us are long and chilling. Season 1, a masterclass in emotional storytelling, left audiences reeling from the brutal realities of its post-apocalyptic world. But whispers and rumors from the set of Season 2, particularly concerning the notoriously dark and emotionally taxing narrative of the second game, have had fans bracing themselves. What many don’t realize is that during these demanding days on set, it wasn’t just the script and seasoned acting that saw Bella Ramsey through; it was an unlikely sonic companion – a classic meme song.
Sources close to the production, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed that a particular, somewhat absurd, internet earworm became Bella Ramsey’s secret weapon for navigating the emotional toll of filming some of Season 2’s most harrowing scenes. While the specifics of these scenes are still under wraps, given the source material, speculation points to moments of profound grief, visceral violence, and gut-wrenching moral compromise that define Joel and Ellie’s journey in the latter half of the game.
The song in question? None other than “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.
Yes, that’s right. The iconic 1987 hit, eternally immortalized as the cornerstone of the “rickrolling” phenomenon, served as an unlikely balm for the emotional wounds inflicted during the filming of The Last of Us Season 2.
“It sounds completely bonkers, I know,” admitted one insider, chuckling. “But honestly, there were days when the weight of it all was just crushing. Ellie goes through hell in this season, and portraying that, day in and day out, takes a serious toll. Bella is an incredible actress, she really digs deep, but even the strongest souls need a release.”
The reasoning behind this peculiar choice is surprisingly poignant. “Never Gonna Give You Up,” with its upbeat tempo and earnest, albeit somewhat cheesy, lyrics, offered a stark contrast to the bleakness of the narrative. It was a deliberate injection of absurdity, a reminder of the sillier, more lighthearted aspects of internet culture that exist even in the darkest corners of the digital realm.
“It was like a mental palate cleanser,” explained another source. “After a particularly brutal take, where the raw emotion had to be palpable, Bella would put on Rick Astley, maybe crank it up a little. The sheer, unadulterated meme-ness of it all, the absurdity of this song about unwavering commitment being the soundtrack to such immense suffering, was somehow… cathartic. It was a signal to herself and to the crew that ‘Okay, we did that. Now let’s remember there’s other stuff out there, stuff that’s just plain fun and ridiculous.’”
The video game industry, particularly in its quest for authentic and impactful storytelling, often grapples with the immense emotional labor required from its actors. While the fantastical realms of gaming might seem distant from the everyday struggles of pop culture memes, this instance highlights the surprisingly interconnected nature of our modern world and the unexpected ways in which artists find solace and resilience.
For Ramsey, who has already proven her exceptional talent in embodying complex and emotionally charged characters, this reliance on a familiar, almost nostalgic, piece of internet ephemera speaks volumes. It’s a testament to her grounded nature and her ability to find humor and humanity even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
As fans eagerly await Season 2, this little nugget of
behind-the-scenes trivia adds another layer of fascination. It reminds us that behind the gritty realism and gut-wrenching drama, there are human beings, artists, using whatever tools they can find – even a classic meme song – to navigate the profound depths of their characters and deliver a performance that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. So, as you prepare for the emotional rollercoaster of The Last of Us Season 2, spare a thought for Bella Ramsey, and perhaps, just perhaps, cue up some Rick Astley. You might find it helps you through too.
