Bella Ramsey had to secretly exchange numbers with Caitlin Dever so people wouldn’t know she was communicating to The Last of Us.

We don’t have an official release date yet The Last of Us Season 2 – Like many productions, filming was delayed due to the 2023 WGA strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike – but we have some new casting intel, with series star Bella Ramsay offering her reaction to this season’s new cast additions, specifically Caitlin Dever. That’s because, in an interview, the young actor revealed an amusing story about how they met Booksmart actress, and why they had to keep it low.

Ramsay — who plays strong-willed teenager Ellie in HBO’s adaptation of the beloved video game franchise, opposite Pedro PascalJoel — a tough survivor — recently revealed in an interview with GamesRadar+ how he first met Caitlin Dever. The actress is taking on the much-anticipated role of Abby in the drama’s second season, and the Ellie actress had this to say about how they met:

Apparently, the two had to keep their interactions on the down low. At the time, Caitlin Dever had not yet been officially cast as Abby. It seems the last thing Ramsay wanted to do was accidentally spill the casting beans. So, they quietly exchanged numbers. However, now they can praise each other as much as they want!

Described as “a skilled soldier whose black-and-white view of the world is challenged as she seeks revenge for those she loved”, Dever’s Abby is meant to have an antagonistic relationship with Ramsey’s Ellie, a dynamic that Thankfully couldn’t play in between. Actors in real life.

Instead, Ramsey revealed that working with Dever — an actress who, ironically, was dream-cast by fans to portray the character of Ellie in the post-apocalyptic drama, though producers reportedly wanted a younger actor, The Hollywood Reporter– An “excellent” experience was:

The 20-year-old star also praised his other new castmate Isabelle Merced – who previously starred alongside Dever in 2022 Rosaline And will play Eli’s season 2 love interest Dina, who HBO calls “a free-wheeling spirit whose devotion to Eli will be tested by the brutality of the world they inhabit.” Showed some love for them too Beef Alum Young Mazino, who will portray Jesse, “a pillar of his community who puts everyone else’s needs before his own, sometimes at terrible cost.”

For new additions in The Last of Us As for the cast, Ramsey said they have “a whole bunch of new people coming in and joining the family.” However, they also previously told Comicbook.com The Last of Pods podcast that they didn’t want to go into the filming of season 2 “comparing it to the experience of the first season”:

Given how well-received Season 1 of the HBO drama was — it won eight Primetime Emmy Awards out of 24 nominations — and how excited fans are to see Caitlin Dever The Last of Us Universe, we don’t think Bella has anything to worry about, especially now that they don’t have to keep the fact that they know each other.

CinemaBland will keep you posted on everything related to the 2024 TV schedule and when you can see Ellie and Abby onscreen. The Last of Us Season 2. In the meantime, you can catch up on the series with a Max subscription.