Bella Ramsey is furious after seeing a series of memes about her “I’m going to be a dad” scene. She demanded that the people or organizations that intentionally mocked her be sued.

The internet has been engulfed in controversy following the release of the latest trailer for The Last of Us season 2. A single line uttered by Bella Ramsey’s character, Ellie, sparked a wave of memes and heated debate. The phrase “I’m going to be a dad,” spoken in a key scene, was meant to carry great emotional weight, reflecting Ellie’s complex journey in the adaptation of the acclaimed video game, The Last of Us Part II. However, the delivery and context have been widely mocked online, turning it into a viral meme. Ramsey, the 21-year-old star known for her powerful performances in Game of Thrones and The Last of Us, has expressed outrage over the memes, calling them disrespectful and harmful. In a bold move, Ramsey has demanded legal action against the individuals and organizations responsible for creating and spreading the memes, sparking a broader debate about the boundaries of online humor and celebrity privacy.

The controversy began shortly after HBO released the trailer for the second season in early May 2025, showcasing the evolving role of Ellie in a post-apocalyptic world. The line “I’m going to be a dad,” taken from a moment meant to highlight Ellie’s emotional depth and the weight of her choices, proved jarring to many viewers. Social media platforms, particularly X, were filled with memes juxtaposing Ramsey’s performance with humorous captions, GIFs, and edited clips, often poking fun at the phrase’s seeming incongruity with the show’s typically somber tone. Posts on X, including one from user @ChristianPL21, highlighted the scale of the mockery, with fans and critics sharing lighthearted but pointed comments. While some fans defended Ramsey’s performance, arguing that the context of the line would resonate more in the full episode, meme culture quickly spread, overshadowing the trailer’s intended impact.

Ramsey, who uses they/them pronouns, addressed the issue in a candid interview with Variety on May 18, 2025, expressing her deep frustration with the memes. “It’s not just a joke, it’s personal,” Ramsey said. “This scene was one of the hardest I’ve ever filmed, and to see it reduced to a mere joke by people who don’t even understand the story is infuriating.” Ramsey emphasized that the memes were perceived as a targeted attack on her performance and identity, particularly given the gendered implications of the phrase “Dad” in a narrative exploring Ellie’s queer identity. They demanded accountability and urged her legal team to sue the individuals or entities that “intentionally mocked” the memes or profited from them, including meme sites and content creators with sizable followings. While Ramsey did not name specific individuals, her statement has raised questions about the viability of such legal action in the nebulous world of internet culture.

The negative reaction to the memes has divided fans. Ramsey’s supporters argue that the memes trivialize a sensitive moment in Ellie’s story arc, which in the game deals with themes of parenthood, loss, and identity. They point to Ramsey’s acclaimed performance in the first season as proof of her ability to perfectly embody the role, suggesting that the full context of the second season, scheduled to premiere in June 2025, will justify the phrase’s inclusion. However, critics argue that the delivery and writing of the phrase, as seen in the trailer, failed to convey the necessary seriousness, making it a source of satire. A StarTeFacts article noted that the show’s writers may have misjudged the tone, turning a potentially shocking scene into an unintentional focus of criticism. Regardless, the memes have undoubtedly shifted attention away from the show’s narrative and toward Ramsey’s personal response.

Legal experts have weighed in, noting that Ramsey’s lawsuit faces significant hurdles. Claims of defamation or harassment would require proof of malicious intent and tangible harm, something difficult to establish in the context of memes. Free speech protections, especially in the United States, further complicate matters, as parody and satire are often protected. The posts on X reflect mixed feelings: some users sympathize with Ramsey’s grief, while others defend the memes as harmless fan expressions. The controversy has also reignited debate about the pressures young actors face in the social media age, where their performances are analyzed and memed in real time.

With the arrival of the second season of The Last of Us, Ramsey’s response has overshadowed the series’ promotion. HBO has yet to officially comment, but showrunner Craig Mazin has hinted that he will stand behind the creative decisions, suggesting that viewers “wait for the full story.” For Ramsey, the fight is personal, a stance against the dehumanizing side of internet fame. Whether or not his legal threats materialize, this saga underscores the delicate balance between artistic intent and public perception in the digital age.