Rumor about massive pay-gap between The Last of Us’ leads causes rift amongst fans

HBO’s The Last of Us is its new record-breaking steamroller; surpassing television ratings and viewership records with every new episode. The critics and the viewers are highly impressed by the quality of sceneries, storylines, costumes, and zombie makeup, however, the series has also faced its fair share of criticism. The most recent one stems from a rumor that reveals a humongous pay gap between the show’s leads, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.

How big is the pay gap between The Last of Us stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal?

According to a recent tweet by the account Pop Tingz, Pedro Pascal who plays Joel earned around $600,000 per episode, while Bella Ramsey who plays Ellie received $70,000 in the first season. The authenticity of the report has not been confirmed yet, even though the tweet has been going viral on various social media sites.

How did the fans react to the pay gap between Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal?

The opinions among the fans were as divided as the show’s first season’s controversial finale. Many were of the view that the pay gap is unfair, as both the actors are playing protagonists who are equally as important, while there were others who argued Pedro’s star power justified the higher fee.

I hate when these conversations come up because yes Pedro is a veteran, but that doesn’t excuse how obvious this gender pay gap is. There’s no Last of Us without Ellie. Period. She is the plot. Sure Pedro will make a little more, but she should have been compensated higher. https://t.co/j5L1gc4vtG

— Christian Hillis (@ArtBlerd) April 6, 2023

While pedro is experienced this pay gap is too much. Bella ramsay is central to The Last of Us.

— dev (@devs_il) April 6, 2023

Pedro Pascal probably about to get shit for the Last Of Us pay gap which is silly as if he was the one signing the checks

— Adaephon Delat (@nickcage73) April 7, 2023

mutando tudo relacionado a the last of us pq não aguento mais essa discussão de "gender pay gap"

— jurídico sam carpenter (@larscadela) April 7, 2023

she could get paid more sure, but this pay gap is fair considering Pedro been working all the 2010s and is in high demand. Bella’s only roles are Last of Us and Game of Thrones. that’s still hella money regardless. People forget/don’t know how budgeting and casting works

— Street Scientist 👨🏾‍🔬🔬⚗️ (@MalcolmMiddleX) April 6, 2023

This is also a terrible example of the pay gap. Pedro Pascal is a really well known actor, and for many folks was probably the initial draw to the series. I almost guarantee Bella Ramsey gets a raise for season 2.

— Adam Berg (@OurFatherChaos) April 7, 2023

Be fucking serious. This pay gap is not okay. A couple things to consider however, Pedro Pascal is more established and Bella Ramsey is younger. With that said, the pay gap is WAYYYY too big. https://t.co/vzMyfytUYp

— kyle (@kylelindecke) April 6, 2023

Honestly surprising pay gap, of course Bella Ramsey isn't as well established as Pedro Pascal is but 70k? She definitely should of had a 6 figure salary, 70k is quite low for being the second protagonist. 1/2 https://t.co/k6IOs3NO4S

— 🦊James The Foxe🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@JamesTheFoxe) April 6, 2023

some people are either shitting on pedro pascal or bella ramsey for the pay gap when hbo is the one to blame, they are both protagonists in tlou season 1 and should be paid equally or at least a similar amount and i'm pretty sure they are not beefing over their salaries pic.twitter.com/6mapx39V2S

— kira ☂️🦒 succession spoilers (@shivmcavoy) April 7, 2023

Of COURSE there's a pay gap between the lead actor & actress in the show. Pedro Pascal is far more widely known/recognized than Bella Ramsey and a bigger reason people might give the show a chance. They're far more likely to know of him. Ramsey gets: wasn't she that girl in GoT?

— NeoUnrealist (@NeoUnrealist) April 7, 2023

Not want to legitimate the big pay gap but Pedro Pascal is a actor with a long time career. But they definitely have to pay Bella Ramsey more for the next season, she is an amazing actress. https://t.co/VeIdMS9VVh

— Andre (@TheMightyAndre) April 7, 2023

It's funny to see some of the White American women who fell in love with Pedro Pascal (a White Latino) turn on him due to the pay gap between him and Bella Ramsey (a White British teen). I know why it's there. I'm just glad i wont have to see thirst posts about him for a while.

— In Aries (@ChloeSmiley3) April 7, 2023

What can we expect from The Last of Us Season 2?

Showrunner Craig Mazin teased the reporters about what’s to come in Season 2, “Sometimes it will be different radically and sometimes it will be barely different at all, but it’s going to be different and it will be its own thing. It won’t be exactly like the game. It will be the show that Neil and I want to make. We are making it with Bella.”

Read Next: Tess’ last kiss with a Clicker earns The Last of Us an MTV nomination