The Last Of Us Emmy backlash as openly non-binary Bella Ramsey receives 'best actress'

In all forms of entertainment, it’s always nice to celebrate the franchises we love especially for those that help bring them to life.

Later this year is the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony taking place on 18 September (19 for the UK) and is one of the most prestigious events in the United States with its accomplishments being recognised worldwide.

Check out the trailer for The Last of Us below!

Amongst the favourites to claim dongs at this year's Emmy Awards are Better Call Saul, Ted Lasso, Wednesday, Andor, and more. However, claiming the most nominations at this year's event is Succession with a whopping 27 nominations, followed by The Last of Us with a mighty 24.

At the forefront of HBO’s The Last of Us, the live-action adaptation of the Naughty Dog IP, is its two leading actors, Pedro Pascal who plays Joel and Bella Ramsey who plays Ellie.

Pascal has been nominated for ‘Best Actor’, alongside the likes of Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Jeff Bridges (The Old Man), as well as Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong all representing Succession.

As for Bella Ramsey, for ‘Best Actress’, they are nominated alongside Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Keri Russell (The Diplomat) and finally, Sarah Snook (Succession).

So, what’s the problem with the above nominations? For ‘Best Actor’, from what I can tell, there is no issue. However, as for ‘Best Actress’, Bella Ramsey is openly non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns. What’s more, Emma D'arcy who plays Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon is another actor nominated as ‘Best Actress’ that also goes by the same pronouns.

i thought Bella was non-binary

— Camilla Cabello’s Racism Therapist (@runmemymoneyplz) July 12, 2023

Award shows need more inclusive categories for people with gender-expansive identities.

— Zillastorm (@Zillastorm) July 12, 2023

as much as i think emma d'arcy deserves awards for their role in hotd
i do think it kinda sucks its 'best actress in a drama series’ when they're non-binary...

— slippy (@sleepy_roobs) July 11, 2023

that they might be nominated in best actor category before the nominations were announced, since they're always referred to as an actor rather than actress. anyway it's something to think about

— maria (@klerolajn) June 20, 2023

During an interview with NME in May 2023, while admitting that finding alternative nominee categories can be complicated, Ramsey said that submitting themselves for this year’s Emmys as ‘Best Actress’ was “uncomfortable” and called for “more space” for non-binary actors to be celebrated at award ceremonies.

In related news, Bella Ramsey has promised that season two of The Last of Us will be way darker and episode three of season one, ‘Long, Long Time’ has been hailed as a masterpiece. No release date has been announced for season two of The Last of Us, but it is expected to arrive by 2025.

Season one of HBO’s Last of Us TV series is available now in its entirety via Max in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK.