Ella Purnell

Biography

Ella Summer Reed Purnell was born on September 17, 1996, in the Whitechapel area of London, England. She grew up in Bethnal Green and attended Bethnal Green Montessori, Forest School, and the City of London School for Girls. Alongside her regular education, she trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she studied acting, singing, and dance.

Career Beginnings

Purnell began her career on stage, appearing in the West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She made her film debut in Never Let Me Go (2010), playing the younger version of Keira Knightley’s character. Early in her career, she also appeared in Intruders (2011) and Kick-Ass 2 (2013), showcasing her range in both drama and action roles.

Breakthrough & Rising Career

In 2014, Purnell gained further recognition for her role as the young Maleficent in Disney’s Maleficent. Her breakout performance came in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), directed by Tim Burton, where she starred as Emma Bloom. This role established her as one of Britain’s most promising young talents.

She later expanded into television with standout performances in Sweetbitter (2018) and Yellowjackets (2021–present), where she played Jackie Taylor, earning critical praise. In animation, she is known for voicing Jinx (Powder) in Arcane and Gwyndala in Star Trek: Prodigy.

In 2024, Purnell took on the lead role of Lucy MacLean in the highly anticipated series Fallout, based on the popular video game franchise, marking another major milestone in her career.

Personal Life & Interests

Outside of acting, Purnell has expressed an interest in writing and once considered becoming a children’s author. She is also known for her thoughtful approach to fame and has stated that she values personal growth and meaningful storytelling above celebrity status.