Quick Read
- Ella Purnell is widely recognized for her roles in hit series like “Yellowjackets” and “Fallout.”
- She had an early, small role as a mean girl’s sidekick in the 2013 superhero sequel “Kick-Ass 2.”
- In “Fallout” Season 2, Episode 4, her character Lucy MacLean undergoes a dramatic, drug-induced transformation, developing a “killer instinct” that Purnell found “reckless, darkly funny, and uncomfortable.”
- “Kick-Ass 2” received mixed reviews, holding a 33% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes but a more forgiving 6.5/10 on IMDb.
- Purnell also stars as the darker, more violent character Rhiannon Lewis in the series “Sweetpea,” showcasing her diverse acting range.
In the dynamic world of streaming television, certain faces become instantly recognizable, their performances etching themselves into our collective consciousness. Ella Purnell is undoubtedly one such talent, captivating audiences with her nuanced portrayals in critically acclaimed series like “Yellowjackets” and, most recently, the phenomenal “Fallout.” While her current fame might suggest a relatively recent emergence, Purnell has, in fact, been gracing screens for longer than many might realize, navigating a career path dotted with both prominent leading roles and surprisingly subtle, almost blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearances. Her journey is a testament to the quiet dedication that often precedes widespread recognition, revealing an actor who has steadily honed her craft across a diverse range of projects.
The Wasteland’s New Face: Ella Purnell’s ‘Fallout’ Transformation
For fans of the “Fallout” series, currently streaming its second season on Amazon Prime Video, Ella Purnell’s character, Lucy MacLean, has undergone a dramatic and unforgettable evolution. Episode 4, aptly titled “The Demon in the Snow,” marks a pivotal moment where Lucy sheds her innocent vault dweller persona, embracing a far more ruthless and unpredictable side. This transformation is not a gradual shift but a jarring, drug-induced awakening, triggered by a life-saving Buffout steroid drip after a near-death experience.
As Lucy wakes up in a New California Republic camp, hooked to this mysterious concoction, her moral compass begins to spin wildly. Her usual upbeat demeanor gives way to mood swings, itching, and a terrifyingly unhinged killer instinct. By the time she reaches the outskirts of New Vegas, all restraint has vanished, culminating in a gleeful, brutal massacre of a group of Elvis impersonators. It’s a moment of pure, reckless abandon that shocked viewers and delighted Purnell herself.
Speaking about this pivotal episode, Purnell expressed her excitement, calling it one of the standout moments of the entire season. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s like when your little sister goes out and gets a little wild – it’s crazy,” she remarked, as reported by Geektyrant. She elaborated on the unique nature of this shift, noting that Lucy isn’t just tougher; the violence she unleashes isn’t heroic or tragic, but instead “reckless, darkly funny, and uncomfortable.” This tonal whiplash, expertly directed by Stephen Williams, underscores the dangerous and morally ambiguous nature of the wasteland, making Lucy’s abandonment of her core values all the more impactful. As El-Balad highlighted, Purnell found the role both tough and exhilarating, showcasing her range in portraying a fearless Lucy.
Beyond the Vault: A Career Forged in Diverse Roles
While “Fallout” and “Yellowjackets” have propelled Purnell into the spotlight, her career trajectory includes an array of roles that, upon reflection, reveal a burgeoning talent long before her current prominence. Her filmography stretches back further than many might expect, featuring appearances in a mix of genres and production scales. For instance, she took on a small but memorable part as a young, teen villain in Disney’s “Maleficent,” offering a glimpse of her capacity for darker characters even then. She also appeared in the fantastical “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” and the 2016 remake of “The Legend of Tarzan.” Even earlier, in 2011, she shared the screen with Clive Owen in the horror film “Intruders.” These roles, though varied, collectively served as crucial building blocks in her development as an actor, allowing her to explore different facets of performance.
The ‘Kick-Ass 2’ Connection: Revisiting a Disappointing Sequel
Perhaps one of Purnell’s most surprising early appearances, and one that has recently garnered renewed attention, is her role in “Kick-Ass 2,” the 2013 black comedy superhero sequel. For many, recognizing her in this film might require a second, more focused viewing, but once seen, her presence is unmistakable. Purnell portrays a “mean girl” from high school, specifically the head girl’s sidekick, adding a touch of high school drama to the superhero antics.
Her character becomes entangled in a memorable, albeit uncomfortable, confrontation with Mindy Macready, also known as “Hit Girl,” played by Chloë Grace Moretz. As Mindy attempts to navigate a normal, non-superhero high school life, she inevitably clashes with the not-so-friendly clique. Purnell’s character delivers colorful, if brief, commentary during these interactions, with lines like, “I know right? I’m soaked!” and “But we were gonna go get high on bath salts at Logan’s house!” While the role was auxiliary and not a standout part of the film, it showcases Purnell’s early ability to inhabit a character, even within a limited scope. As BGR noted, the fanfare around her performance here was “passable.”
Critically, “Kick-Ass 2” didn’t quite hit the mark. It holds a rather modest 33% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though its user rating is a slightly more forgiving 57%. On IMDb, it fares a bit better with a 6.5 out of 10-star rating from over 298,000 reviews, suggesting a more lenient audience reception. Ultimately, it was largely considered a disappointing sequel, failing to capture the unique spark of its predecessor. Nevertheless, revisiting these earlier, smaller roles provides an interesting perspective on Purnell’s journey, highlighting the diverse projects that shaped her career before her current ascent.
Embracing the Darker Side: From Lucy to Rhiannon
Beyond the transformative arc of Lucy in “Fallout,” Purnell continues to delve into complex and often darker characters, further illustrating her remarkable acting range. She is also preparing for the second season of her series “Sweetpea,” where she portrays Rhiannon Lewis. Rhiannon stands in stark contrast to Lucy’s generally optimistic and peacemaking nature, embodying a more violent and inherently darker persona. This duality in her current roles offers a fascinating insight into Purnell’s craft.
Purnell has openly reflected on the challenges of switching between these two intense characters. She notes that even minor missteps from Lucy feel incredibly significant precisely because of her character’s usual moral compass. In contrast, Rhiannon’s darker actions come with a surprising ease, highlighting the different psychological landscapes Purnell must inhabit for each role. This ability to seamlessly transition between such distinct characters underscores her versatility and commitment to exploring the full spectrum of human experience on screen, from the morally conflicted to the outright formidable.
Ella Purnell’s journey through Hollywood is a compelling narrative of gradual ascent, marked by a willingness to embrace roles of all sizes and complexities. From minor, yet memorable, appearances in films like “Kick-Ass 2” to her current commanding presence in “Fallout” and “Sweetpea,” she has consistently demonstrated a profound ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters. Her evolution from a “mean girl” sidekick to a leading lady capable of portraying intense moral transformations speaks volumes about her dedication and the strategic choices that have ultimately cemented her status as one of today’s most captivating performers.