NEXT BIG THING

BELLA RAMSEY IS FLYING HIGH…

Best known as fearsome scene-stealer Lyanna Mormont in Game Of Thrones, Bella Ramsey has emerged as one of Westeros’ most in-demand alumni. Soon, she’ll star as the effervescent title character in Lena Dunham’s medieval comedy Catherine Called Birdy, and early next year she’ll appear as Ellie, alongside Pedro Pascal’s Joel, in HBO’s anticipated adaptation of the acclaimed videogame The Last Of Us.

Birdy lives in the late 13th century, but has modern sensibilities. Could you relate?

Birdy and me are stupidly similar. Her whole energy and spirit are naturally like my energy and spirit, but she has it in abundance. I’ve never been on a shoot where I’ve laughed so much, or tried not to laugh so much.

Game Of Thrones was your first job. How did you cope?

I’ve enjoyed being thrown in at the deep end, and definitely that experience was the best thing for me. Every actor has a different way of doing it. My way is that I have no idea what I’m doing [laughs]. I’m going to continue having no idea what I’m doing, and hope for the best.

Did you always want to act?

I never really wanted to be an actor. Now if I go too long without being on a set, I get withdrawal symptoms. I just want to be in the industry, even if it’s writing or directing. I’ve written a film, and hopefully we’ll be making that at some point next year.

How have you approached playing Ellie in The Last Of Us?

She will feel familiar to fans of the game, but is not meant to be a replica of Ashley Johnson’s Ellie. At the beginning of the show, I was like, “I’m definitely going to play the game after.” But now I’m not so sure. When we’d watch gameplay of what we’d [filmed] the day before, it was strange, watching a version of what you did. I just need a really good friend to laugh at me when I walk into walls, and then I’ll enjoy it.

CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY OPENS IN CINEMAS ON 23 SEPTEMBER AND STREAMS ON PRIME VIDEO FROM 7 OCTOBER.