After gaining widespread recognition for her portrayal of the ill-fated queen bee, Jackie Taylor, in the survival thriller series Yellowjackets, Ella Purnell seems poised to conquer the world. This Londoner, who made her silver screen debut in the 2010 film, Never Let Me Go—playing young Ruth alongside Keira Knightley as the adult version—has long hovered on the brink of stardom. She made notable appearances in various roles, from the restaurant drama Sweetbitter set in New York City to Zack Snyder’s gripping zombie heist flick, Army of the Dead. However, it was Yellowjackets and the success of her voice role in the steampunk action series Arcane alongside Hailee Steinfeld that catapulted Purnell into a whirlwind of opportunities, culminating in her casting in the highly anticipated Fallout series.
The adaptation of the post-apocalyptic video game franchise by Amazon turned out to be one of the standout TV shows of 2024, earning a staggering 16 Emmy nominations. At the heart of this success stood Purnell, portraying the lead protagonist, Lucy MacLean. As fans eagerly anticipate the exploits of Lucy in the series’ second season, Purnell has another ace up her sleeve.
Taking on dual roles as both actor and producer, Purnell embarked on the project Sweetpea, based on the 2017 novel by CJ Skuse. This venture showcases a socially awkward introvert who unexpectedly spirals into a spree of serial killings. At 28, Purnell might strike some as an unconventional choice to embody a wronged murderer, yet this divergence is precisely what attracted her to the character. Speaking with us via Zoom, she expresses a genuine enthusiasm for developing this dark comedy and navigating the transformative journey of her character, Rhiannon Lewis.
Reflecting on her growing recognition, Purnell amusingly admits that people didn’t used to frequently comment on her distinctive eyes until her work in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. She recalls a moment of vanity and regret when she first encountered a review comparing her eye-to-face ratio to that of a giant squid during her teenage years, an observation that left her self-confidence momentarily shaken.
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As for the recent congruences in the roles she has chosen, Purnell notes that it’s not a conscious decision steering her towards similar characters, but perhaps an underlying reflection of where she is in her life and career. If a script feels familiar or something she could easily master, her interest wanes. She yearns for narratives that pose challenges, working with teams she admires and from whom she can learn, ensuring each endeavor remains fresh and valuable.
Delving into her preparation for Sweetpea, Purnell emphasizes the importance of making Rhiannon Lewis feel real and multidimensional. The aim was to immerse audiences into Rhiannon’s psyche, engendering empathy for her emotional landscape while inducing moral conflict. Achieving this demanded meticulous attention to detail, even considering aspects outside the typical script, such as Rhiannon’s taste in cars or her preferred type of milkshake.
The preparatory phase for Sweetpea was extensive, commencing 10 months before shooting. This afforded ample time for collaboration with costume, hair, makeup experts, and the production designer to flesh out Rhiannon’s world with authenticity and intricacy. Purnell credits this creative synergy to the team, especially lauding director Ella Jones for her profound understanding and affinity for Rhiannon’s character.
Looking back on her role as Jinx, Purnell reveals a deep-seated affection for Arcane, a series she feels privileged to have been a part of. Voicing Jinx not only helped shape her craft but also introduced her to the realm of voice acting—a domain she had initially entered as a novice with her first-ever voiceover audition. Additionally, she amusingly shares that Sweetpea premiered on October 10, coincidentally Jinx’s birthday, a delightful anecdote she’ll treasure.
For enthusiasts eager to witness Purnell’s latest venture, Sweetpea is currently available for streaming on JoCinema Premium, releasing new episodes weekly.
