After captivating audiences with her role as the complex Jackie Taylor in the survival thriller “Yellowjackets,” Ella Purnell is rapidly becoming a household name. The London-born actress, who first appeared on the silver screen in 2010’s “Never Let Me Go,” has been steadily climbing the ladder of Hollywood. Purnell’s early career may have placed her on the outskirts of stardom, but with standout performances in series such as “Sweetbitter” and blockbuster films like Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead,” she was bound to break through sooner rather than later. The game-changer came with the success of “Yellowjackets” and her voice role opposite Hailee Steinfeld in the highly-praised series “Arcane,” leading to her landing the high-profile role in Amazon’s celebrated “Fallout.”
Ella Purnell graced the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 15, 2024, following a whirlwind year that saw her at the forefront of some of the most talked-about projects. Amazon’s adaptation of the “Fallout” video game series took 2024 by storm, earning 16 Emmy nominations, largely thanks to Purnell’s compelling portrayal of the central character, Lucy MacLean. While viewers anticipate Lucy’s return in the show’s second season, Purnell was secretly working on another project set to surprise her fans.
Purnell has taken on the intriguing challenge of starring in and producing “Sweetpea,” an adaptation of CJ Skuse’s 2017 novel. The story revolves around Rhiannon Lewis, a socially awkward introvert who unexpectedly embarks on a serial-killing spree. The choice seemed unusual at first for Purnell, but perhaps that was part of the allure. In a recent Zoom interview, the actress expressed her excitement about immersing herself in the dark comedy and exploring the intricate character arc of Rhiannon.
During the interview, Purnell reflected on an unusual aspect of her career that had not been widely discussed—that is, until she filmed “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” At the time, she recounted a humorous yet humbling anecdote involving a Google search that likened her eye-to-face ratio to that of a giant squid. “You can imagine how that affects an 18-year-old’s self-esteem,” she joked, noting that such comparisons never occurred to her before reading them online.
. Nonetheless, Purnell demonstrated resilience, chuckling about how self-perceptions can differ markedly from public opinion.
Interestingly, Purnell admitted surprise at the thematic similarities among her recent roles. She attributes this serendipitous trend to the complex narratives that attract her, rather than calculated choices on her part. Purnell’s criteria for selecting roles involve seeking out projects that challenge her, introduce fresh dynamics, and offer her the opportunity to learn from talented collaborators.
The development of “Sweetpea” was a meticulous process that Purnell found deeply fulfilling. Her dedication to portraying Rhiannon authentically took months of collaboration with costume, makeup, and production design teams to construct the character’s world. These efforts were essential in engaging audiences with Rhiannon’s emotions and journey, even when her actions provoked moral conflict.
Purnell also spoke fondly of working with the “Sweetpea” creative team, singling out director Ella Jones for her exceptional insight into the character. “She knows and loves Rhiannon just as much, if not more intricately, than I do,” Purnell noted with appreciation for Jones’s vision and direction.
In addition to her budding career in film production, Purnell reminisced about her role as Jinx in “Arcane,” acknowledging the series’ significant influence on her development as an actor. Though she confessed her sorrow at leaving the character, Purnell holds the experience dear, as it marked her debut in voice work. Coincidentally, the release date for “Sweetpea” serendipitously aligned with Jinx’s fictional birthday, October 10th—a charming nod to Purnell’s past role.
“Sweetpea” is now captivating audiences on JoCinema Premium, with new episodes releasing weekly, further cementing Purnell’s status as an actress whose career choices continue to defy expectation and captivate viewers worldwide.
