The Last of Us has become a household name, and PlayStation’s pride and joy. Much of its fame can be attributed to HBO’s gripping television adaptation, which stars the talented Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal. The show not only pays a fitting tribute to the first game but also weaves its own captivating narrative. Central to this story is Ellie, whose age across different instalments might pique your curiosity. Let’s delve into her age in The Last of Us Part 1, Part 2, and the TV series.
Also read: The Last of Us Part 1: Walkthrough and Guide Series 1
How Old Is Ellie in The Last of Us Part I?
Ellie is 14 years old in The Last of Us Part 1. Since the game’s story takes place in 2033, we can assume that Ellie was born in 2019. However, her exact birthdate remains a mystery, as the game doesn’t provide any additional information. A “Flashback” scene in Part II does mention her birthday, but again, without a specific date. Based on the sunny weather in that sequence, we could speculate that it occurs sometime between late spring and early summer.
In the video games, Ellie is voiced by Ashley Johnson, who is 39 years old as of 2023. That means she was in her mid-twenties when she portrayed Ellie in the first game. The fact that a 25-year-old was able to embody a 14-year-old girl so convincingly is a testament to her remarkable talent, making her one of the most iconic voices in gaming history.
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How Old Is Ellie in The Last of Us Part II?
At the beginning of the second game, Ellie is 14 years old. However, after a few cutscenes, The Last of Us Part II’s main story picks up with a time jump, and Ellie is now 19 years old. Five years have passed, and she has transformed from a little girl into a strong young woman. Throughout the story, it’s clear that Ellie has gained a wealth of experience despite her young age.
Ashley Johnson once again lends her voice to Ellie in the sequel. Given that the game was released in 2020, Ashley would have been around 33 years old during its development. Nevertheless, her voice still captures the energy and strength associated with Ellie’s character, creating a compelling performance.
Also read: How Tess’ Story Is Different in the Games
How Old Is Ellie in The Last of Us TV Show?
The television show on HBO shares numerous similarities with the game series, and it’s arguably one of the best game adaptations to date. However, there are a few differences in terms of the timeline. The most notable of these is the time period in which the story is set.
In The Last of Us Part I, the epidemic starts in 2013, and after a 20-year time jump, the main story unfolds in 2033. In the HBO adaptation, the outbreak begins in 2003, and we are brought to 2023 with a 20-year leap. TV show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann stated that this decision was made to align with real life, which is an excellent idea.
Has this change in the timeline affected the characters? Not at all. Ellie remains 14 years old in HBO’s The Last of Us. With season two confirmed, it’s likely to follow Part II, which means Ellie will turn 19 in the series, just as she does in the games.
Bella Ramsey portrays Ellie in the series. The 19-year-old British actress has no trouble appearing younger than her actual age. The real question is whether she can convincingly transform into the strong and mature Ellie from the games in season two. Fans eagerly await Bella’s continued excellent performance in the series’ second season.
To summarise Ellie’s age in both the games and the show:
- The Last of Us Part I – 14 years old (Ashley Johnson was 25 years old while performing)
- The Last of Us Part II – 19 years old (Ashley Johnson was 33 years old while performing)
- The Last of Us HBO Series – 14 years old (Bella Ramsey was 18 years old while performing)
Frequently Asked Questions
How Old Is Joel in The Last of Us?
Joel is 52 years old in The Last of Us Part I, with the day the epidemic began (Prior to the 20-year time jump) marking his 32nd birthday. In The Last of Us Part II, Joel is 57 years old. However, things differ slightly in the HBO television series. “TV Joel”, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, is 36 years old on the day the epidemic starts, making him 56 years old after the time jump. If the show’s second season follows the games’ timeline, we can assume that Joel will be 60 years old.
Why Is Ellie Immune?
In The Last of Us games, there isn’t a concrete explanation for Ellie’s immunity. Doctors speculate that Ellie has a mutated cordyceps. However, the HBO television series provides a clearer answer. Ellie’s immunity is due to her mother being bitten during childbirth. Despite her mother quickly cutting the umbilical cord, a minuscule amount of the virus enters Ellie’s body. This small quantity isn’t enough to be lethal, so Ellie develops immunity to the virus.
Is Ellie Good or Bad?
Ellie can’t be categorised as a hero – in fact, it’s more accurate to label her an anti-hero. While she was a more naive youngster at 14 in the first game, her experiences thrust her into darkness. In the second game, she transforms into someone driven solely by vengeance. Ellie’s heart is undoubtedly good, much like Joel or Abby, but her actions and choices frequently fall into the “Bad” category. This isn’t surprising, as Joel shares the same traits.
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- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.
