HBO’s planned TV series adaptation of Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game “The Last of Us” has cast its female lead.
17-year-old Bella Ramsey, best known for her breakout role as the fierce Lyanna Mormont in “Game of Thrones,” will take on the role of Ellie.
The story is set two decades after modern civilization has been destroyed and centers on the relationship between Joel, a hardened survivor and smuggler in this new world, and Ellie, a teenager who may be key to a cure for a deadly pandemic.
What starts as a small job to take the girl out of an oppressive quarantine zone becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey as they traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
Fellow “Thrones” actress Maisie Williams was floated years ago as a potential Ellie, though at 23 has gone beyond playing a believable early-mid teen.
Former “True Detective” star and Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali was rumored to be up for a role and whilst he did circle one, a deal never came to fruition and he will not be involved.
“Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin is writing and executive producing with the game’s original writer and creative director Neil Druckmann.
Russian filmmaker Kantemir Balagov (“Beanpole”) has been tapped to direct the pilot. The game has sold more than 17 million copies across both its original release and remains one of the most critically heralded of all time.
Source: Heat Vision
