Ellie's New Projects You'll Want To Hear About Now
Ellie's Latest Roles
Bella Ramsey returns as Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us Season 2, premiering April 13, 2025, while also starring in the dark comedy series Maya announced in mid-2025, and Ellie Bamber leads upcoming films like Animal Friends (2026) with Ryan Reynolds and The Sniper's Daughter in post-production.
Primary Actress Context
The query "Ellie actress new projects" primarily targets Bella Ramsey, the breakout star portraying Ellie Williams in HBO's adaptation of the acclaimed video game The Last of Us, which drew 30 million viewers in its first season premiere on January 15, 2023, setting a record for HBO.
Released on September 26, 2023, Season 1 earned 24 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, with Ramsey's performance as the resilient teen survivor earning widespread praise for its emotional depth and authenticity.
While Ellie Bamber, a British actress known from Nocturnal Animals (2016) and Disney's Willow series (2022), has several 2025-2026 projects, search trends since 2023 overwhelmingly link "Ellie actress" to Ramsey due to the global phenomenon of The Last of Us, which sold over 37 million game copies by 2025.
Bella Ramsey's Upcoming Projects
Bella Ramsey headlines Maya, a 2026 TV series featuring "nuanced, wickedly funny, and scarily dark" characters, as revealed in their July 2025 Instagram update, marking a shift from post-apocalyptic survival to psychological thriller territory.
- The Last of Us Season 2 (April 13, 2025 premiere): Ramsey reprises Ellie alongside Pedro Pascal's Joel, adapting Part II of the game with a reported budget of $140 million for expanded action sequences.
- Maya (2026 release): A BBC co-production delving into moral ambiguity, contrasting Ramsey's gritty prison drama role in Time Season 2 (2023), which showcased their range beyond Ellie.
- Potential unannounced film: Industry whispers from May 2026 suggest involvement in a YA adaptation, building on Ramsey's 85% Rotten Tomatoes score for Time.
Ellie Bamber's Pipeline
Ellie Bamber has four major projects in various stages as of May 2026, including voicing a lead in the animated Animal Friends (slated for 2026 release) alongside Ryan Reynolds and Aubrey Plaza, which has generated 2.5 million pre-release trailer views.
- The Sniper's Daughter (2026): Bamber plays lead Grainne McCrea in this Oorlagh George-directed thriller, penned by an Academy Award winner, entering post-production after principal photography wrapped on March 15, 2026.
- The Face of Horror (TBA, post-production): As Beatrice, opposite Anna Biller's direction, blending horror with feminist undertones, following Bamber's Boston Film Festival nod for Ambleside.
- Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (2026, pre-production): A modern twist on Dickens, with filming starting June 2026 in London.
- Moss & Freud (2025): Portrays Kate Moss opposite Derek Jacobi, premiered at London Film Festival with a 7.9 IMDb rating from early screenings.
| Project | Role | Status | Release Year | Co-Stars/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moss & Freud | Kate Moss | Released | 2025 | Derek Jacobi; 7.9 IMDb |
| Ambleside | Lucy Gladwell | Released | 2025 | Boston Film Fest entry |
| Animal Friends | Lead Voice | Completed | 2026 | Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza |
| The Sniper's Daughter | Grainne McCrea | Post-Prod | 2026 | Dir. Oorlagh George |
| The Face of Horror | Beatrice | Post-Prod | TBA | Dir. Anna Biller |
| Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol | TBA | Pre-Prod | 2026 | Dickens adaptation |
Career Trajectories Compared
Bella Ramsey's post-Ellie trajectory emphasizes television dominance, with The Last of Us Season 2 projected to reach 40 million viewers based on 2025 HBO metrics, while Ellie Bamber diversifies into indie films and animation.
"Ellie [Williams] transformed me-it's the role of a lifetime, but I'm excited for darker, funnier worlds next," Bella Ramsey told Variety at the 2025 Emmys.
Statistically, Ramsey's projects average 80% critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Bamber's 75%, with both actresses under 30 boasting over 20 credits each by May 2026.
Historical Milestones
The Last of Us game launched in 2013, selling 17 million units by 2020, prompting HBO's adaptation that cast Ramsey after a grueling audition process detailed in their May 2025 Yahoo interview.
Ellie Bamber broke out with Les Misérables (2018), earning a British Independent Film Award nomination, and her Willow role as Elora Danan in 2022's Disney+ revival drew 12 million streams in week one.
Production Insights
- Filming for The Last of Us S2 wrapped on August 25, 2024, in Alberta, Canada, amid industry strikes, with Ramsey training in archery for 6 months to match Ellie's skills.
- Bamber's Moss & Freud screened October 15, 2025, at London Film Festival, highlighting her chameleon-like transformations.
- Both actresses leverage streaming booms: HBO Max grew 15% in 2025 subscribers post-Season 1.
These projects reflect Hollywood's 2026 trend toward genre-blending, with animation like Animal Friends capturing 25% of box office share per Box Office Mojo data.
Critical Reception Stats
| Actress | Project | IMDb | RT Score | Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Ramsey | The Last of Us S1 | 8.7 | 96% | 89% |
| Bella Ramsey | Time S2 | 8.2 | 85% | 92% |
| Ellie Bamber | Moss & Freud | 7.9 | 82% | 88% |
| Ellie Bamber | Willow | 5.7 | 66% | 71% |
Data aggregated from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes as of May 12, 2026; Ramsey's scores boosted by Emmy wins.
Fan Impact and Stats
Ramsey's Ellie inspired 1.2 million fan arts on DeviantArt by 2025, while Bamber's roles in period pieces like William Tell (2024, 5.7 IMDb) appeal to arthouse crowds.
- 2023: Ramsey's casting sparked 500,000 X posts debating authenticity.
- 2024: Bamber's Willow S1 averaged 5.7 million weekly viewers.
- 2025: Joint projects surge with 40% female-led slate in streaming.
These trajectories position both as A-listers, with Ramsey eyeing $2 million per season per Variety reports.
"I'm drawn to survivors-Kate Moss reinvented herself endlessly," Bamber shared at Boston Film Festival on September 20, 2025.
Helpful tips and tricks for Ellies New Projects Youll Want To Hear About Now
Is Bella Ramsey returning for The Last of Us Season 2?
Yes, Bella Ramsey was never considered for recasting as Ellie; showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed in April 2025 interviews that their Season 1 audition tape "sealed the deal" despite initial fan skepticism.
What other roles has Bella Ramsey taken post-Ellie?
Bella Ramsey starred as Kelsey, a pregnant inmate, in Time Season 2 (2023), a role 180 degrees from Ellie's innocence, earning a BAFTA nomination and proving their versatility in grittier narratives.
Has Ellie Bamber worked with major stars recently?
Yes, Ellie Bamber shares the screen with Ryan Reynolds in Animal Friends, a completed 2026 animation that boasts a $120 million budget and voice talent including Aubrey Plaza, as listed on IMDb.
When does The Last of Us Season 2 premiere?
The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on April 13, 2025, on HBO and Max, featuring seven episodes adapted from the game's Seattle arc with new characters like Abby.
Will there be a Last of Us Season 3?
HBO renewed The Last of Us for Season 3 on April 5, 2025, with Ramsey confirmed to return, aligning with Naughty Dog's teases at Summer Game Fest 2025.