‘The Last of Us’ Star Bella Ramsey Hates on People Criticizing HBO Series: "You Don't Have to Watch It"

The Last of Us Season 2 hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. The HBO juggernaut — which exploded into prestige TV dominance with its first season — has faced a far more divisive reception this year. Now, Bella Ramsey has responded to the loudest critics, offering blunt advice for those who just can’t stand the direction of the series. Speaking on The Awardist podcast, Ramsey admitted they don’t go digging for online reactions but made their stance clear:

“I try to steer clear as much as I [can], to be honest. You don't have to watch it. If you hate it that much, the game exists. You can just play the game again. If you do want to watch it, hope you enjoy it.”

It’s a straightforward message — especially as Season 2 has drawn fire from fans who felt the show’s tone, pacing, and the way Ellie is portrayed on screen has been a disappointment from Season 1, and even the game it is based on.

Why Is The Last of Us Season 2 Disliked?

Season 2 has faced complaints about diluted stakes, with viewers noting that the threat of the infected feels minimized compared to Season 1’s brutal tension. Other points of contention include Ellie’s inconsistent writing, “sassy” dialogue that undercuts darker moments, and a heavier focus on introspection at the expense of plot progression. The result has been a noticeable ratings dip from the debut season’s highs, even as the show remains a major cultural force.

Behind the scenes, The Last of Us is undergoing its own changes. Co-creator Neil Druckmann and producer/writer Halley Gross have stepped away from the series to concentrate on new projects at Naughty Dog. That leaves Craig Mazin as the sole showrunner moving forward.

“It’s been a creative dream to work with Neil and bring an adaptation of his brilliant work to life on HBO. I couldn’t have asked for a more generous creative partner,” Mazin said in a statement, while Ramsey admitted Druckmann would be “greatly missed.”

If there’s a silver lining for fans, it’s that Mazin seems to be planning a rebound with Season 3. After Season 2 ran only seven episodes, Mazin confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the next chapter will be bigger than the last:

“I will say that season 3 will be longer than season 2. Season 3 will be more on par with season 1. More bang for the buck.”

HBO chief Casey Bloys has also suggested the story may conclude with two more seasons or “one long season,” depending on how the adaptation of The Last of Us Part II continues to unfold. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on The Last of Us.