The Last of Us television adaptation from HBO cast two Game of Thrones alumni as Joel and Ellie. Pedro Pascal played Oberyn Martell and Bella Ramsey played Lyanna Mormont. The young actress only appeared in nine episodes, but her commanding screen presence and strong character made her a memorable fan favorite. Below are the top three moments over the course of her appearances that are not only memorable, but prove she's perfect casting for Ellie.
Introduction
Lady Lyanna Mormont is first introduced on Game of Thrones in Season 6, Episode 7, "The Broken Man." Jon and Sana, accompanied by Ser Davos, go to Bear Island to ask for her allegiance in order to retake Winterfell from the Boltons and to unite the North in preparation for the upcoming war with the Night King. Lyanna is strong, confident and in control. She is loyal to her people and she makes her competence as a leader known immediately. She is unimpressed by Sansa and Jon's attempts to soften her to their pleas. She is eventually won over by Ser Davos and agrees to join up with the Starks.
Her strong will is on clear display, yet what is most interesting is that she is won over in the end not by clever compliments and charm, but by a paternal voice connecting with her through a shared sense of values. That type of relationship is very clear in The Last of Us between Ellie and Joel. Both are independent people, but they find a sense of community and camaraderie within each other.
King of the North
In Season 6, Episode 10, "The Winds of Winter," the Boltons have been expelled from Winterfell but strife and discord still run strong in the North. At a meeting of the Northern families, Lyanna stands up and shames the men in the room for their cowardice and their failure to stand by the Stark family. She declares that the Mormonts have always been allies of the Starks and she recognizes Jon Snow as the true and rightful King of the North.
The scene displays Lyanna's forceful spirit — something that Ellie has as well. Where Lyanna is more of a leader than Ellie, they both are strong willed and have a strong presence. They speak their mind and will bow to no one else's spirit or demands. Ellie may not have the exact same values as Lyanna, but they both confidently define themselves and live their lives by their own rules.
Slaying a Giant
Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 3, "The Long Night," features the series' climactic battle between the Night King and his Army against the those of the North. Among the soldiers is Lyanna who will not lead her men into battle without joining the fight herself, brawling to the death to defend the land of men. She is badly wounded when she charges at a giant all on her own, who then picks her up and tries to crush her to death in its fist. Lyanna uses her dying breaths to stab the giant in the eye and take him down. Her bravery saves countless lives who would have been slaughtered thoughtlessly by the giant.
Her courage and killer instincts in the scene are very reminiscent of Ellie. She too has to fight to save her life and the lives of her friends. She is also nearly killed countless times, by both the infected and in battles by others who want to do her and her friends harm. She doesn't back down from a fight and takes a stand where and when necessary. Both Lyanna and Ellie are tough as nails and are fierce warriors.
Written by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, HBO's The Last of Us is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and stars Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel. Director Kantemir Balagov will be helming the series' pilot episode.