Ella Purnell

Last updated

Ella Purnell
Ella Purnell 2018 uncropped (re-cropped).png
Purnell in 2018
Born (1996-09-17) 17 September 1996 (age 28)
London, England
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present

Ella Summer Purnell (born 17 September 1996) is an English actress. She began her career as a child actress in West End theatre and films such as Never Let Me Go (2010), Intruders (2011), and Maleficent (2014). Her other films include Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Churchill (2017), and Army of the Dead (2021).

Contents

On television, Purnell has starred in series such as Ordeal by Innocence (2018), Belgravia (2020), Yellowjackets (2021–present), Fallout (2024–present), and Sweetpea (2024–present). She has also voiced Jinx in Arcane (2021–2024) and Gwyndala in Star Trek: Prodigy (2021–2024).

Early life

Ella Summer Purnell was born in the Whitechapel area of London on 17 September 1996, [1] and grew up in the city's Bethnal Green area. [2] She attended Bethnal Green Montessori, Forest School, the City of London School for Girls, and the Young Actors Theatre Islington. [3] She also attended weekly classes at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, studying acting, singing, and dance, and was represented by their in-house talent agency.

Upon graduating at the age of 18, Purnell intended to put a pause on her acting career, and earned a place at university with the intention of becoming a children's writer or teacher. [4] She decided to travel the world for a year to "find herself" but returned to acting when she was offered a role in Tim Burton's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), which she accepted as it had been her dream to work with Burton. She described her decision to defer university as "bittersweet at first because it felt like a lost opportunity of a different path in life" but was glad she chose acting. [5]

Career

At age 13, Purnell was cast in a 2009 production of Oliver! at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. [6] Towards the end of her time in the show, she was cast as the younger version of Keira Knightley's character in Mark Romanek's film Never Let Me Go (2010). [7] She was then cast as Kayleigh in Gustavo Ron's film Ways to Live Forever (2010), [8] and as Mia in Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's film Intruders (2011). [9] She was named by Screen International as one of its 10 UK Stars of Tomorrow in 2010. [10] She later appeared in the BBC HD short film Candy (2011).

Purnell at the 2017 Serpentine Summer Party at Kensington Gardens, London Ella Purnell Serpentine Summer Party 2017 (cropped).jpg
Purnell at the 2017 Serpentine Summer Party at Kensington Gardens, London

Purnell appeared as Dolce in Jeff Wadlow's film Kick-Ass 2 (2013) and starred in Frank Hall Green's film Wildlike (2014), which earned her a number of accolades at festivals. She also played the teenage version of Angelina Jolie's titular character in Robert Stromberg's Disney film Maleficent (2014). She then took a break from acting, but returned to star in Tim Burton's film Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) as she had always wanted to work with him. [11] She then played Mia in the film Access All Areas (2017) [12] and Winston Churchill's secretary Helen Garrett in Jonathan Teplitzky's historical drama film Churchill (2017). [13]

Purnell appeared as Hester Argyll in the BBC miniseries Ordeal by Innocence (2018) [14] and starred as Tess in the Starz series Sweetbitter (2018). [15] [16] Starz cancelled the series after two seasons. [17] Purnell played Lady Maria Grey in Julian Fellowes' period drama Belgravia (2020) [18] and began starring as Jackie in the Showtime drama series Yellowjackets (2021–present). [19] She also voiced Gwyn in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy (2021) and began voicing Jinx in the Netflix series Arcane (2021–present). She began starring as Lucy MacLean in the Amazon Prime Video series Fallout (2024–present) [20] and as the main character in the dark comedy series Sweetpea (2024–present), garnering critical praise for both. [21] She also served as an executive producer for Sweetpea. [22] [23] [24]

Personal life

As of May 2024, Purnell divides her time between London and Los Angeles. [25] She began a relationship with musician Max Bennett Kelly at an unknown date, and began referring to him as her life partner in June 2022. [25] [26] She plays the piano. [27]

Activism

In 2016, at the age of 19, Purnell worked with her former Forest School schoolmate Arifa Nasim to launch Educate2Eradicate, [28] a UK-based organisation building on Nasim's grassroots efforts to eradicate honour-based violence and addressing the issue of forced child marriage. [29]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010 Never Let Me Go Young Ruth
Ways to Live Forever Kayleigh
2011 Intruders Mia
2013 Kick-Ass 2 Dolce
2014 Wildlike MacKenzie
Maleficent Teen Maleficent
2016The Journey is the DestinationAmy
The Legend of Tarzan Young Jane Porter Uncredited
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Emma Bloom
2017 Churchill Helen Garrett
Access All AreasMia
2018 UFO Natalie
2021 Army of the Dead Kate Ward [30]
TBA The Scurry †Post-production [31]
Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015 Cyberbully Megan TV movie
2018 Ordeal by Innocence Hester ArgyllMain cast; miniseries
Right Place, Wrong Tim [32] The daughter TV short
2018–2019 Sweetbitter TessMain cast
2020 Belgravia Lady Maria GreyMain cast; miniseries
2021–present Yellowjackets Jackie TaylorMain cast (season 1), recurring role (season 2)
2021–2024 Arcane Jinx [33] Main cast; voice role
2021–2024 Star Trek: Prodigy Gwyn
2024 Invincible JaneEpisode: "I Thought You Were Stronger"; voice role
2024–present Fallout Lucy MacLeanMain cast [34]
2024-present Sweetpea Rhiannon LewisMain cast; also executive producer [35] [36]
TBA Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas †Kate WardIn production; voice role
Key
†Denotes TV productions that have not yet been released

Stage

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017 Natives A Southwark Playhouse

Video game

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022 Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova GwynVoice role

Podcast

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024The Seneschal: A Rebel Moon StoryRaina, SabineMain role

Audiobook

YearTitleAuthorsOther Narrator(s)
2017 Northanger Abbey Jane Austen Emma Thompson, Douglas Booth, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jeremy Irvine, and Lily Cole

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationsCategoryWorkResultRef.
2015 Fargo Film Festival Best Actress WildLike Won [37]
Brooklyn Film Festival Best ActressWon [38]
2018 National Film Awards, UK Best NewcomerAccess All AreasNominated [39]
2021 Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production Arcane Won [40]
2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series Yellowjackets Nominated [41]
2024 Canneseries Madame Figaro Rising Star Award Fallout Won [42]
Astra TV Awards Best Actress in a Streaming Drama SeriesNominated [43]

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References

  1. ↑ Lammers, Tim (11 April 2024). "'Fallout': Why Does Vault Dweller Lucy MacLean Look So Familiar?". Forbes . Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  2. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (23 April 2022). "Yellowjackets' Ella Purnell". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "Asa Butterfield and Ella Purnell Interview at Young Actors Theatre Islington – YouTube". YouTube . 8 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Aroesti, Rachel (5 October 2024). "'I can't do gore and I'm not a gamer': Ella Purnell on being an unlikely scream queen". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  5. ↑ Hadland, Gracie (22 May 2024). "Ella Purnell Is Hollywood's New Favorite Action Hero". Vulture.
  6. ↑ "Ella Purnell | Screen". Screendaily.com. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "First trailer for 'Never Let Me Go' with Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan". Moviejungle.com. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Ways to live forever – The Movie". Waystoliveforever.com. 23 December 2009. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Sarah (14 July 2010). "Fersnadillo starts shooting thriller Intruders in London". Screendaily.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "Stars of Tomorrow 2010". Screenterrier.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  11. ↑ "Two teenage British stars are set to join Eva Green". Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Clarke, Cath (19 October 2017). "Access All Areas review – Hollyoaks goes Bestival in a teen music festival caper". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  13. ↑ Rosser, Michael (24 May 2016). "'Churchill' shoot begins; cast revealed". Screen. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  14. ↑ Billen, Andrew (31 March 2018). "Ordeal by Innocence: the Christie Mystery that almost got away". The Times. No. 72497. Saturday Review. pp. 4–5. ISSN   0140-0460.
  15. ↑ Petski, Denise (6 October 2017). "'Sweetbitter': Ella Purnell To Star In Starz Drama Series Based On Book". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  16. ↑ Radish, Christina (3 May 2018). "Ella Purnell on the Starz Series 'Sweetbitter' and Her Disastrous Audition". Collider. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "'Sweetbitter' Canceled at Starz (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  18. ↑ Bahr, Robyn (10 April 2020). "'Belgravia': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Haylock, Zoe (17 January 2022). "Ella Purnell on Surviving Yellowjackets as 'Queen Bee' Jackie". Vulture. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  20. ↑ Davis, Clayton (10 April 2024). "'Fallout' Sets Emmys Campaign: Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell Go for Lead Drama, Aaron Moten Submits for Supporting (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  21. ↑ Jackson, Hannah (8 October 2024). "Ella Purnell Isn't Interested in the Fast Track to Fame". Vogue . Condé Nast.
  22. ↑ "Ella Purnell: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  23. ↑ "Sweetpea". Comedy. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  24. ↑ White, Peter (11 July 2024). "Sky's Ella Purnell-Led Drama Series Sweetpea Lands At Starz". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  25. 1 2 Hadland, Gracie (22 May 2024). "Ella Purnell Is Hollywood's New Favorite Action Hero" . Vulture . Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  26. ↑ Rivera, Briannah (11 April 2024). "All About 'Fallout' Star Ella Purnell's Musician Boyfriend, Max Bennett Kelly" . Elle . Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  27. ↑ "Interview with Ella Purnell" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  28. ↑ "Charity to tackle forced marriage and honour abuse officially launched". Waltham Forest Guardian . 18 July 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  29. ↑ "Ella Purnell | Host of January 16, 2016 Event". TEDxTeen . 16 January 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  30. ↑ Seth, Radhika (21 May 2021). "Ella Purnell nous parle de "Army of the Dead", le film de zombies de Netflix". Vogue France (in French). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  31. ↑ Dalton, Ben (15 May 2024). "'Fallout' star Ella Purnell joins Craig Roberts' killer squirrel comedy-horror 'The Scurry' for True Brit (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  32. ↑ "Right Place, Wrong Tim". Youtube. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  33. ↑ Kroll, Justin (9 October 2024). "'Fallout' Star Ella Purnell Signs With Range". Deadline. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  34. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (30 March 2022). "'Fallout': Ella Purnell Joins Walton Goggins In Prime Video Series Based On Games". Deadline. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  35. ↑ Ritman, Alex (3 December 2024). "'Sweetpea' Starring Ella Purnell Renewed for Season 2 at Sky, Starz". Variety. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  36. ↑ Ntim, Zac (3 December 2024). "'Sweetpea': Sky & Starz Series Starring Ella Purnell Renewed For Second Season". Deadline. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  37. ↑ "Best Actress | Fargo Film Festival" . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  38. ↑ Gioino, Catherina (11 June 2015). "2015 Brooklyn Film Festival Winners". The Young Folks. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  39. ↑ "Nominations for 2018 National Film Awards UK announced". National Film Awards. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  40. ↑ "52nd Annual Annie Awards". annieawards.org. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  41. ↑ Neglia, Matt (9 January 2024). "The 2023 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) TV Astra Award Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  42. ↑ "Madame Figaro Rising Star Award". canneseries.com (in French). Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  43. ↑ Prusakowski, Steven (9 July 2024). "2024 Astra TV Awards Nominees Announced". Awards Radar. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
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