Following the wave of attention she garnered for her role as Jackie Taylor in Showtime’s acclaimed series Yellowjackets, British actress Ella Purnell has continued to captivate audiences and critics alike. Her portrayal of the deeply complex queen bee turned survivalist displayed her ability to inhabit nuanced roles, pushing her career trajectory to new heights. This burgeoning spotlight has since focused on Amazon’s adaptation of the famed video game Fallout, where Purnell leads as Lucy MacLean. The series took the entertainment world by storm, receiving 16 prestigious Emmy nominations—a testament to its success and Purnell’s riveting performance.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Purnell is taking yet another bold step by starring in and producing the TV adaptation of CJ Skuse’s novel Sweetpea, a project that demonstrates her eagerness to explore new and challenging roles. Sweetpea narrates the unsettling tale of Rhiannon Lewis, a seemingly benign introvert who embarks on an unexpected journey of dark humor and violence after unraveling into a serial killer. It’s a character worlds away from Purnell’s previous roles, highlighting her dramatic versatility and willingness to take risks.
In a candid Zoom interview, Purnell shared personal insights into her latest venture. Reminiscing about her past work, she humorously reflected on an unexpected criticism concerning her appearance during the filming of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As a young actress, she stumbled upon an unkind review likening her eye-to-face ratio to that of a giant squid. “You can imagine what that would do to an 18-year-old’s self-confidence,” she quipped. Despite this, Purnell remains unflustered, as she’s learned that the way people perceive her differs vastly from her self-perception.
Interestingly, Purnell has noticed a thematic similarity running through her recent roles. Whether it’s pure coincidence or a subconscious inclination, she’s drawn to characters that defy easy categorization and challenge conventional moral paradigms. For her, the priority is always a project that offers something new and demands growth as an artist. Purnell credits her success to serendipity, modestly claiming that her praise-worthy career has been a series of fortunate coincidences.
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Creating a compelling character like Rhiannon has been a labor of love, as Purnell dedicated significant time to bringing authenticity to this complex persona. “We put a lot of time and effort and work into developing it. It really was the most important thing if we were going to get the audience into Rhiannon’s head,” she stated. The aim was to craft a nuanced character that audiences could empathize with, even as they were repelled by her violent actions. Her meticulous approach involves delving deep into the minutiae—what Rhiannon eats, drinks, wears—creating a fully realized world for her character to inhabit.
Purnell enjoyed extensive preparation time, working closely with the show’s creative team long before filming began. This period allowed them to meticulously detail every aspect of Rhiannon’s world, from the design of her living space to her style of dress. The collaborative process was integral to crafting an authentic portrayal, one that would remain vivid on screen, whether guided by a script or not.
While Sweetpea signals a fresh creative adventure, it also marks the end of a significant chapter. Saying goodbye to Jinx, her cherished character from the animated series Arcane, was bittersweet for Purnell. Her connection to Jinx was profound, as it marked her first foray into voice roles and left an indelible mark on her career and self-identity. In a delightful happenstance, the show premiered on the fictional birthday of Jinx—a coincidental tribute to a role that has shaped her greatly.
Sweetpea is now available for streaming on JoCinema Premium, with its engaging narrative unfolding through weekly episode releases. As Ella Purnell continues to navigate her dynamic career, her fearless choices hint at more exciting performances ahead. Having captivated the small screen and won critical acclaim, audiences remain eagerly poised to follow wherever her journey may lead next.
