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Arya Stark Actress Almost Played The Last of Us' Ellie


Game of Thrones has indeed provided many opportunities and long-celebrated fame for its actors. One of them is Maisie Williams, who rose to prominence when she assumed the role of headstrong and feisty little warrior Arya Stark. Based on the 2013 video game of the same name, The Last of Us is one of the most anticipated TV series this year. Before the role of Ellie landed on another Game of Thrones actress, Bella Ramsey, Williams was first considered to portray the teenage girl who accompanies a smuggler, Joel (Pedro Pascal), during a post-apocalyptic United States.

The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he considered Williams alongside Booksmart's Kaitlyn Dever to play Ellie in the movie adaptation. Druckmann declared they needed someone "tough and vulnerable, wise beyond [their] years, and also have a potential for violence" to portray the 14-year-old. The casting team reportedly saw "dozens and dozens" of actors for the role, but Williams met with Druckmann for the film.

However, the movie got canceled due to production and development issues. By the time the HBO series came along, any former possible candidates had aged out of consideration, so the search had to be reset, and that’s when Ramsey had the opportunity to get chosen. Druckmann said, “Bella felt so real. It was like Ellie realized in live action. It didn’t feel like watching an actor.”

Also Read: The Last of Us Showrunner Calls Bella Ramsey As The Best Ellie Out of 100 Candidates

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The first season of The Last of Us is expected to adapt the 2013 game's narrative. The story won't deviate from the game's original plot, according to the production team's statement that they have no plans to "tell any stories beyond adapting the games." HBO has not yet decided whether to order a second season of the post-apocalyptic drama series, but Druckmann recently gave a clue that Season 2 might pick up with 2020’s The Last of Us Part II.

Aside from Ramsey and Pascal, The Last of Us also stars Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman as a survivalist named Bill, Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, Merle Dandridge, and Jeffrey Pierce. However, only Dandridge reprises her original character as Marlene, the commander of the Fireflies.

The Last of Us premieres on HBO and HBO Max on January 15, 2023.


Related: The Last of Us Co-Creator Explains Why The HBO Series Almost Didn’t Happen

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