Bella Ramsey thinks opposition to gay storylines in The Last Of Us is 'bizarre'

Bella Ramsey thinks the opposition to gay storylines in The Last Of Us has been "bizarre".

The 19-year-old star plays Ellie in the HBO drama series, and she has confessed to being baffled by the reaction to gay love stories in the show, which is based on a 2013 video game.

Bella told Sky News: "Why wouldn't there be gay storylines in a show like this? I'm so glad that HBO is doing it, and I know it was something that Craig [Mazin, the co-creator] was really passionate about.

"It's in the game, the Ellie and Riley stories in the game and Bill and Frank are hinted at in the game. I think it's really cool. Just because of the apocalypse doesn't mean that gay people don't exist."

Bella thinks representation in the television industry is "extremely important".

She added: "I think it's important that queer people are given opportunities to play queer roles, of course. But I also don't think there's any issue either with, like, straight people playing queer roles or cisgender roles.

"I personally don't have a problem with it whatsoever. I just think as long as people are given equal opportunities ... I think that's the most important thing. And not being persecuted when it comes to roles."

Storm Reid also stars in the drama series, and the 19-year-old actress echoed Bella's comments.

Storm – who also stars in Euphoria – said: "People love each other, and love is love.

"So, if you can't accept that, then I don't know where you're going to be able to find space of comfortability anywhere in the world, because people are people and are living in their truth. And I think that's beautiful."

ALSO READ: Bella Ramsey responds to praise, isn't afraid of backlash over LGBT characters