In her captivating journey from emerging talents to household names, Ella Purnell has swiftly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Known for her sensational rise to fame following her role as the ill-fated Jackie Taylor in the critically acclaimed survival thriller, Yellowjackets, Purnell’s entrancing presence continues to attract audiences around the globe. This London-born actress, who made her debut in 2010 with Mark Romanek’s film, Never Let Me Go, showcased early sparkles of her formidable talents in roles that lingered on the fringes of fame through projects like Sweetbitter—a drama centered in the bustling New York City restaurant scene, and Zack Snyder’s action-packed Army of the Dead. However, it was Yellowjackets and her voice role in the animated steampunk action series Arcane, alongside Hailee Steinfeld, that truly catapulted Purnell into mainstream stardom.
Her career really shifted into high gear with the role in the sensational adaptation of the post-apocalyptic video game series, Fallout. Amazon’s vision for the franchise proved a massive success, securing rave reviews and 16 impressive Emmy nominations. In the midst of its triumph, Ella Purnell stood dazzling at the heart of the series as Lucy MacLean, conquering both critical acclaim and fans’ hearts. Even as anticipation builds for Lucy’s next adventures in the upcoming second season, Purnell, at 28, invites audience attention again with her latest endeavor—Sweetpea. Not only does she star in it, but she also steps into the producer’s chair for this dark comedy adaptation of CJ Skuse’s 2017 novel. The narrative spins around Rhiannon Lewis, a socially awkward introvert whose life takes a dark turn into a spree of serial killing—a character seemingly an unusual fit for Purnell, and that departure from the norm is precisely what drew her in.
Gearing up for her latest release, Ella sat down with us for an insightful conversation via Zoom, where she offered a glimpse into her creative process and the unique challenges that came with bringing Sweetpea to life. As she spoke candidly about her new ventures and reflected on her growth, it became clear how deeply she connects with the multi-layered dynamics of her roles.
“You’d think people have always been chatting about my eyes, but honestly, it wasn’t even something I was aware of until I worked on Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” Purnell recollects with a touch of humor. “I remember being a young, naive 18-year-old, foolishly reading reviews online. Somebody compared my eyes to those of a giant squid, and it did quite a number on my self-confidence. Still, these days, it’s all perspective, isn’t it? We often forget how differently we’re perceived by others.”
Delving deeper into the unifying themes linking her recent characters, Purnell smiles thoughtfully, “I never consciously picked these similar threads in my roles; it may be something my subconscious is still figuring out.
. If a script presents itself and feels reminiscent of my past work—too easy even—then my interest wanes. I’m after characters that push boundaries for me, with stories that are distinctly novel. That’s where the excitement lies.”
Her philosophy manifested adeptly in her approach to Sweetpea. Purnell expands on how much attention was given to developing empathy towards Rhiannon’s complexities, and morally conflicting nature, to engage audiences in an organic manner. “The goal was authenticity,” she asserts. “Audiences need to feel when they’re inside Rhiannon’s mind, connecting with her emotionally, even if her actions present a stark contrast.”
Ella reflects upon the enriching creative process, reminiscing about the extensive brainstorm sessions over ten months with costume designers, hair and makeup artists, and the production team that shaped Rhiannon’s world. “I couldn’t have done it without Patrick, Kirstie, and especially Ella Jones, our director,” she praises. “Those intricate collaborations breathed life into Rhiannon in ways I alone might never have imagined.”
In a poignant reflection, she bids a heartfelt goodbye to her beloved character, Jinx from Arcane. “I am genuinely going to miss her dearly,” she confides. “Voicing Jinx was transformative. It was my inception into voiceover work, an experience forever etched in my heart. Sweetpea’s premiere on Jinx’s birthday, October 10, even feels like a beautiful nod to her legacy.”
Sweetpea, now streaming on JoCinema Premium with new episodes releasing weekly, is already generating buzz for its gripping narrative and Ella Purnell’s groundbreaking portrayal, reaffirming her position as one of the most intriguing talents of her generation.
