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Bella Ramsey Wants ‘The Last of Us' Fans to Watch Upcoming Indie Films Like They're ‘Game of Thrones'

Bella Ramsey Wants ‘The Last of Us' Fans to Watch Upcoming Indie Films Like They're ‘Game of Thrones'

Yahoo29-05-2025

'The Last of Us' Season 2 went out with a bang, but star Bella Ramsey wants fans thinking about their upcoming indie film projects as much as the eventual return of HBO's zombie apocalypse. Ramsey spoke positively to IndieWire about seeing themselves grow up on screen at the prestige network, having broken out at 13 years old playing the steely Lyanna Mormont for 'Game of Thrones.' Now, age 21, Ramsey is a globally recognized superstar who is ready to use their clout in other corners of the industry.
'I really hope that people will stick with me throughout stuff with 'The Last of Us' and beyond with all the little indie films I'm going to be doing as well,' Ramsey said. 'I hope that those will get as much love as amazing shows and franchises like 'The Last of Us' and 'Game of Thrones.' I feel very grateful for the support that I've had.' All in various stages of production, Ramsey has announced four upcoming film projects.
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Currently, Ramsey is in Scotland shooting the coming-of-age comedy, 'Sunny Dancer' with Jessica Gunning, James Norton, and Neil Patrick Harris. Writer/director George Jacques' sophomore effort (following 2023's 'Black Dog') takes place at a summer camp for children impacted by cancer. It casts Ramsey as Ivy, an unwilling participant in remission, alongside a younger cast with Ruby Stokes, Quinn-Toye, Earl Cave, Conrad Khan, and Jasmine Elcock.
Meanwhile, Carrie Coon and Lily James have joined Ramsey and co-star Odessa Young on the upcoming thriller, 'Harmonia.' Directed by Guy Nattiv, the production from Bleecker Street is expected to release in U.S. theaters sometimes in 2026. Set in the 1980s, the script was co-written by Nattiv and Noa Berman-Herzberg. The story follows sisters Ella (Ramsey) and Jo (Young) as they attempt to rescue their mother (Coon) from a mesmeric cult leader (James).
This time last year, Ramsey was attached to star as the real Samantha Lewthwaite in 'The White Widow' from writer/director Bruce Goodison. Lewthwaite is the widow of the terrorist behind the 2005 London bombings, believed to be responsible for hundreds of deaths. BFI backed the film's development.
In 2023, another fiction based in fact found Ramsey when filmmaker Romola Garai ('Atonement') tapped them to play Barbara Field in 'Monstrous Beauty.' The 17th-century period piece follows a playwright in the court of King Charles II, whose rare medical conditions leaves her covered in hair. Dominic West, Ruth Negga, and Fiona Shaw were also announced. Ramsey has repeatedly voiced their desire to be 'challenged' by new roles and is expected to return for 'The Last of Us' Season 3.
'The Last of Us' is now streaming Season 1 and 2 on HBO.
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J.K. Rowling Praises Scripts for ‘Harry Potter' HBO Series as Fans Continue Boycott Over Anti-Trans Views
J.K. Rowling Praises Scripts for ‘Harry Potter' HBO Series as Fans Continue Boycott Over Anti-Trans Views

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time36 minutes ago

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J.K. Rowling Praises Scripts for ‘Harry Potter' HBO Series as Fans Continue Boycott Over Anti-Trans Views

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J.K. Rowling gives an honest opinion about upcoming ‘Harry Potter' series
J.K. Rowling gives an honest opinion about upcoming ‘Harry Potter' series

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time2 hours ago

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J.K. Rowling gives an honest opinion about upcoming ‘Harry Potter' series

J.K. Rowling is raving about the upcoming 'Harry Potter' TV series. 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' the 59-year-old author wrote on X on Saturday. In a separate tweet, Rowling responded to a fan asking if she's writing on the show. 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers,' Rowling replied. 10 J.K. Rowling at the 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' premiere in London in 2018. Samir Hussein/WireImage 10 J.K. Rowling with one of her 'Harry Potter' books Edinburgh, Scotland in 2005. Getty Images The 'Harry Potter' series is expected to premiere in 2026 or 2027 on HBO Max, with each season following one of Rowling's seven books. The confirmed cast members include Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and more. 10 Actors Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin, and Alastair Stout will star in the 'Harry Potter' series. AP 10 Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.' ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co Rowling is serving as an executive producer on the show, which has sparked backlash from fans due to her controversial views on the transgender community. 'She's been fairly involved — she was very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director,' HBO CEO Casey Bloys told reporters in November. But Bloys has since insisted that the series won't be 'secretly infused' with Rowling's anti-transgender views. 10 J.K. Rowling in a selfie. jK Rowling/Twitter 'The decision to be in business with J.K. Rowling is not new for us. We've been in business for 25 years,' the exec explained on Matthew Belloni's 'The Town' podcast in April. ''Harry Potter' is not being secretly infused with anything,' Bloys added. 'I think it's pretty clear that those are her personal political views. She's entitled to them.' 'And if you want to debate her, you can go on Twitter,' he also stated. 10 Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.' ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection John Lithgow, who is playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming show, has found himself being dragged into the controversy surrounding Rowling's views. The 79-year-old actor the Times of London in April that he didn't expect to face backlash for agreeing to take on the role. 10 John Lithgow at The Olivier Awards 2025 in London. WireImage 'I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?'' said Lithgow. 'I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her.' When asked if the backlash has made him reconsider joining the cast, Lithgow replied, 'Oh, heavens no.' 10 J.K. Rowling at Kings Cross Station in central London in 2001. REUTERS Earlier this year, Rowling celebrated the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' refer strictly to a biological woman and biological sex. In response, over 400 actors — including Essiedu — signed an open letter that called for the entertainment industry to protect the trans community. Rowling later took to social media to say she wouldn't fire Essiedu from the 'Harry Potter' series despite their different views. 10 Paapa Essiedu attends The Olivier Awards 2025 in London. Max Cisotti/10 J.K. Rowling celebrates a UK Supreme Court ruling about trans rights. jk_rowling/X 'I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did,' she wrote on X. 'I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine,' Rowling added.

J.K. Rowling Shares Her Early Take on Harry Potter TV Series
J.K. Rowling Shares Her Early Take on Harry Potter TV Series

Yahoo

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J.K. Rowling Shares Her Early Take on Harry Potter TV Series

Harry Potter's sire, J.K, Rowling, has shared her early take on the TV series being conjured by HBO. It was first announced in April 2023 that Max had ordered a TV series based on the popular Harry Potter novels, with author Rowling attached as an executive producer. (In June 2024, the Harry Potter project was among several upcoming Max shows rebranded as HBO originals, guaranteeing that they will air on the cable network as well as stream.) More from TVLine Casting News: Andor Subs In for Kimmel, Connie Britton Joins Steve Carell Comedy and More Casting News: Severance Duo on Millionaire, Steve Carell Comedy Casts Bridesmaids Vet and More The White Lotus: Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood Reveal a Rick and Chelsea Sex Scene Was Cut From the Finale ('It Was So Powerful') 'In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new … series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,' HBO CEO Casey Bloys said at the time of the announcement. Rowling in turn said, 'Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I'm looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.' This Saturday evening — two years and two months later — Rowling shared on X, 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' When someone asked, 'So you are not doing the writing for this show?,' Rowling X'd back, 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers.' Even so, the initial news that Rowling would so much as carry an executive producer credit on the series was met with many fans' ire, given myriad statements she has made in recent years about sex and gender that have been deemed transphobic. In response to that first wave of backlash, Rowling quipped on X, 'Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organise yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show. As forewarned is forearmed, I've taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.' Production on the Harry Potter TV series is set to begin this summer, with filming taking place at England's Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will respectively star as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. (See the full Harry Potter cast list here.) The timetable for the show's premiere date, however, is less clear. 'When we started the whole thing, we kind of laid out, 'Oh, it could probably be [2027], something like that,'' HBO's Bloys told reporters in November 2024. 'But don't hold me to any of that, because we're just getting started in the writing and casting process.' Want scoop on the Harry Potter series, or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@ and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line! Harry Potter TV Series: Everything We Know View List Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More

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