Summary
One of 2024’s emerging stars,Ella Purnell, has been on a hot streak of projects, with her latest contributions toseason 2 ofArcanebeing widely praised. While capable of being a voice actor, the British actor has primarily portrayed characters in television and film to great popularity, particularly in the last couple of years, as Purnell’s stardom has remarkably risen.
So far in her budding career, Purnell has portrayed a variety of differing characters in existing franchises or fresh projects that have allowed the actor to fully flourish, with her catalog of roles being impressive and full of promise.
Cast
Ella Purnell, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty
The troubling and emotional journey Purnell’s character Mackenzie endures throughoutWildlikeis saddening for audiences, with the often overlooked movie being an excellent showcase for the actor in her youth.Wildlikefollows the traumatic journey Mackenzie goes on after dealing with family problems and abuse, leading to the character fleeing her new home, where she encountersa backpacker with whom she finds comfort.
For a movie that deals with complex themes, a young Purnell excels in many facets throughout the film, displaying vulnerability and a wide range of emotions due to the troubling circumstances surrounding her character and her background.
Ella Purnell, Tom Sturridge, Eden Epstein
In one of Purnell’sfirst starring roles on television, the Brit played the role of Tess, a newcomer to New York who falls for the allure of the city and its people while working in a demanding restaurant.
WhileSweetbittercame and went, Purnell delivered a varied performance as the young and impressionable lead, becoming sucked up by love, friendship, betrayal, and lofty demands in the social drama. The uncultured character and her gradual change over the course of the show is very much down to Purnell’s visceral performance that acts as the anchor forSweetbitter’s narrative.
Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Matthias Schweighöfer
One of Purnell’s most high-profile roles so far in her career has been her role inZack Snyder’sArmy of the Dead, the zombie bonanza movie on Netflix. Starring opposite Dave Bautista as his daughter, the character of Kate Ward is a strong-willed individual eager to rescue her friend Geeta, who happens to be in danger.
Along with a complicated relationship with her father, Purnell’s portrayal of Kate exudes confidence and a no-nonsense attitude. However, over the course ofArmy of the Dead, Purnell’s chemistry with Bautista shines, with their complex and emotional family bond being the emotional core of the high-octane zombie flick.
Ella Purnell, Nicole Lecky, Jon Pointing
Unlike many of Purnell’s other roles,Sweetpeasees the actor portray a vindictive protagonist in a dark comedy. As a quiet admin assistant, the character of Rhiannon Lewis grows a fascination for murder derived from her trauma-ridden past and social neglect.
In the British show, Purnell is given plenty of license to play around, withher character’s devilish thoughts and actionsbeing hidden in plain sight due to her being a wallflower in society. Rhiannon’s duality stands out as one ofSweetpea’s strongest aspects, with the actor even dipping her toes into comedic elements, making for a highly entertaining but versatile character.
Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Samuel L. Jackson
Underthe guise of Tim Burton, Purnell has a remarkable presence inMiss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, a fantasy movie that sees her character of Emma Bloom stand out among many intriguing characters.
Belonging to a band of peculiar children, Emma acts as the romantic interest of the story’s protagonist, Jake Portman. However, Emma possesses immense talent when utilizing air, bending it to her will. Along with being charming and cordial with Jake, Purnell’s Emma comes off as a sophisticated badass when operating as Jake’s introduction to the world of peculiar children and time looping.
Ella Purnell, Hailee Steinfeld, Katie Leung
Out of all the video game adaptations that have arrived on television,Arcanehas ranked among the best, with its thrilling action, captivating narrative, and rich world making for elite storytelling. Playing the role ofthe iconicLeague of Legendscharacter, Jinx,Arcaneexamines the character’s turmoil as she and her sister Vi get separated as children, resulting in a reunion that sets events into motion in Piltover and Zaun.
As Jinx, Purnell’s voice acting perfectly encapsulates the chaotic energy the character thrives off while also displaying her emotional trauma that makes Jinx wholly unique in theLeague of Legendsuniverse.
Ella Purnell, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey
One of the 2020s most refreshing shows,Yellowjacketshas been an excellent showcase for Purnell in her lead role as Jackie Taylor. Starring as the captain of a women’s soccer team that ends uplost in the wilderness after their plane crashes, Purnell’s Jackie initially starts out as outgoing and joyous, being a reliable leader of her group.
As tensions rise, and the ominous atmosphere inflicts itself on the group, Jackie loses her status in the wilderness, becoming disillusioned with her surroundings and her friend’s changing attitudes toward her, drastically altering the character throughout Season 1.
Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan
In Purnell’s most high profile role to date, the actor jumped into thefamed video game franchiseFalloutand its television adaptation, playing the main protagonist, Lucy MacLean. TheFalloutworld places Lucy as a vault dweller who lives her entire life underground, away from the nuclear wasteland on Earth’s surface. However, her father gets kidnapped, leading the character to head to the surface to save her father as she explores a downtrodden and fractured American society.
While initially pleasant and cheerful in her natural habitat of Vault 33, Purnell’s Lucy becomes filled with despair and confusion when coming to terms with the reality of the world. With much of her life being a lie, Purnell delivers a multilayered performance filled with varying degrees of joy and sadness due to her experiences of betrayal, love, and risk-taking, with her performance being one ofFallout’s biggest strengths.
