‘The Last of Us’ Star Bella Ramsey Says Awards Shows Should Keep…

The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey says award show categories shouldn’t become gender-neutral just yet.

The actor, who is non-binary and uses all pronouns but prefers they/them, said in a recent interview with The Louis Theroux Podcast that gendered acting categories should stay intact so “recognition for women in the industry is preserved.”

They then quickly followed by saying, “But then, where do non-binary or gender non-conforming people fit into that? I don't know.”

The actor has been nominated in best actress categories at the Emmys and Critics Choice Awards for their role as Ellie in The Last of Us. Ramsey says the gendered categories conversation is “interesting” to them.

"If people call me an actress, I have a guttural 'ugh, that's not quite right' instinct to it,” they said. “But I just don't take it too seriously. It doesn't feel like an attack on my identity. It's just a funny thing that doesn't really fit."

Ramsey also wondered if only allowing one category sets a precedent so that “basically a lot of women wouldn't get nominated.”

Ramsey said a possible solution could be to nominate people based on the gender of the characters they’re playing.

“But then, what about when there are non-binary characters on screen?” they asked. “Which is few and far between at the moment. But where does a non-binary person playing a non-binary character fit in? I don't know. It‘s really complicated."

Other actors have added their opinions to the conversation, including Emma Corrin, who is non-binary and says the gendered categories should be changed.

“I don't think the categories are inclusive enough at the moment,” Corrin said in 2022. “It’s difficult for me at the moment trying to justify in my head being non-binary and being nominated in female categories. When it comes to categories, do we need to make it specific as to whether you’re being nominated for a female role or a male role?”

The New York Times also asked a slew of actors about gendered categories in 2023, at that year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“There are people who don’t want to be defined by gender, and I want to help make awards more inclusive for them,” said Rhea Seehorn, who played the lawyer Kim Wexler in “Better Call Saul.”

Seehorn added that a change also might not be fair until women and non-binary people get as much screen time as cisgender men.

“I’m all for inclusion, which is the most important thing,” Jamie Lee Curtis told the Times. “But at the same time, I want to make sure that the most opportunities are available to people. I know a lot of people believe in same-sex education. There are a lot of young women who get very quiet when the boys get really loud.”

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