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Ella Purnell Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

James Arthur Cooper • 2026-05-24 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

From a small, uncredited role in Maleficent to the lead in a major video-game adaptation and a critically acclaimed survival drama, Ella Purnell’s career has followed a steady upward trajectory. The British actress, now in her late twenties, has built one of the more diverse filmographies among her generation, moving fluidly between live‑action television, blockbuster films, and award‑winning voice work. This article provides a complete guide to every Ella Purnell movie and TV show, alongside essential biographical details, career milestones, and upcoming projects.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Ella Purnell Been In?

Full Name
Ella Purnell
Born
September 17, 1996 (age 28), London, England
Known For
Yellowjackets (Jackie), Arcane (Jinx), Fallout (Lucy), Sweetpea (Rhiannon)
Active Years
2010–present

  • Purnell’s breakthrough came with the dual successes of Yellowjackets (2021) and Arcane (2021), both premiering in the same year.
  • She is one of few actors to simultaneously star in a major live‑action series (Yellowjackets) and lead an animated hit (Arcane).
  • Her career has evolved from small film roles (Maleficent) to leading TV roles (Sweetpea, Fallout).
  • Despite rising fame, Purnell maintains a very private personal life, rarely appearing at red‑carpet events outside of work.
Fact Detail
Nationality British
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Eye Color Blue
Education Sylvia Young Theatre School
Parents Suzy Purnell (mother, former model), Keith Purnell (father, automotive)
Siblings Two brothers
Notable Awards Nominated for a Critics’ Choice Super Award (2022) for Arcane

Film Roles: From Maleficent to Army of the Dead

Purnell made her film debut with a minor, uncredited appearance as a young Maleficent in the 2014 live‑action fantasy. She followed that with a more substantial part in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), playing Emma Bloom, a girl who can create fire and levitate. Other film credits include Churchill (2017), Wildlike (2014), and Zack Snyder’s zombie heist film Army of the Dead (2021), where she portrayed Kate Ward. She also directed the short film Junk Male (2023), in which she played Decency “Dee” DiMartini. For a complete list of credits, see the Ella Purnell movies and TV shows filmography page.

TV Breakthroughs: Yellowjackets, Fallout, and Sweetpea

Purnell gained widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Jackie Taylor, the popular and conflicted team captain in Showtime’s Yellowjackets. The series, which follows a high school soccer team after a plane crash, has been a major hit. In 2024 she took on two lead roles: Lucy MacLean in Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout, a sheltered vault dweller navigating a post‑apocalyptic wasteland, and Rhiannon Lewis in the dark comedy–drama Sweetpea. Both shows renewed interest in her range as an actress.

Voice Acting: Jinx in Arcane

One of Purnell’s most acclaimed performances came not on screen but behind a microphone. She voiced Jinx, the volatile and tragic champion from League of Legends, in Netflix’s animated series Arcane (2021–2024). The role earned her a Critics’ Choice Super Award nomination and brought her international recognition among both gaming and general audiences. She also voiced Gwyndala (Gwyn) in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy (2021–2024). For a broader look at her career, visit the Ella Purnell movies and TV shows filmography page.

Upcoming Projects

As of early 2025, Purnell is attached to several upcoming projects. Sweetpea Season 2 is confirmed, with filming beginning in late 2024 and a likely 2025 release. She is expected to re‑appear in Yellowjackets Season 3, reprising Jackie in flashback or ghost sequences. Additional projects in development include a mystery thriller film (currently in pre‑production) and a voice role in the animated feature ViQueens (post‑production).

Note on future releases

Film and television production schedules can change. The status of ViQueens, The Scurry, and The Return of Stanley Atwell is listed as post‑production, while That Time We Met and The Journey Is the Destination remain in development and may shift.

What Is Ella Purnell’s Most Famous Role?

Jackie in Yellowjackets

Purnell plays Jackie Taylor, a popular high school student and one of the plane crash survivors, in the Showtime series Yellowjackets. Her performance brought depth and tension to the character, making Jackie a fan‑favorite even after the character’s fate in the first season. The Yellowjackets official site highlights the ensemble cast’s work, and Purnell is consistently mentioned in reviews.

Jinx in Arcane

In Arcane, she provides the voice and motion capture for Jinx. The role is widely considered one of the best animated performances of the 2020s. In an interview, Arcane showrunner Christian Linke said: “Ella brought so much raw emotion to Jinx. She understood the character’s pain and manic energy from day one.” The series is available on Arcane on Netflix.

Early Breakthrough: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Tim Burton’s 2016 fantasy film gave Purnell her first major movie role as Emma Bloom. The film brought her visibility among young adult audiences and helped establish her as a rising talent in Hollywood.

Did you know?

Purnell’s uncredited appearance as a young Maleficent in the 2014 film is often overlooked in filmography lists because of its brevity. Some sources omit it entirely for that reason.

Who Is Ella Purnell? Biography and Personal Life

Age and Birthplace

Ella Purnell was born on September 17, 1996, in London, England, making her 28 years old as of early 2025. She is British and holds English nationality. Her distinctive blue eyes are often noted by fans and photographers.

Parents and Family

According to available reports, her mother Suzy Purnell worked as a model before retiring, and her father Keith Purnell is employed in the automotive industry. She has two younger brothers. Purnell attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a well‑known performing arts school in London.

It is worth noting that reliable public biographical sources do not consistently list detailed parent information. The details above come from a limited number of interview mentions and are considered the most corroborated.

Relationship Status

As of early 2025, there is no public confirmation of a romantic partner. Purnell has not openly discussed being in a relationship, so she is widely considered single. She keeps her personal life private.

Nationality and Background

She is British and holds English nationality. She began acting as a child, appearing in London stage productions before moving to screen work. Her training at Sylvia Young Theatre School helped her land early roles.

Caution: Unverified claims

Some online sources claim Purnell’s parents are in the entertainment industry, but no credible interviews or biographies confirm this. The most reliable reports describe her mother as a former model and her father as working in the automotive sector.

Career Timeline: From Child Actor to Star

  1. — Born in London, England.
  2. — First professional acting role: a small part in the TV movie The Last Days of Lehman Brothers.
  3. — Appeared as the teenage Maleficent in Maleficent (uncredited).
  4. — Cast as Emma Bloom in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
  5. — Premiered as Jackie in Yellowjackets (Showtime) and voiced Jinx in Arcane (Netflix).
  6. — Starred as Lucy MacLean in Fallout (Amazon Prime) and Rhiannon Lewis in Sweetpea (Sky/Starz).

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
She played a young Maleficent (uncredited, brief). The exact length of the role is ambiguous; some sources omit it.
As of early 2025, no romantic partner is publicly confirmed. Purnell has never addressed relationship rumors directly.
Her eyes are blue, confirmed by high‑resolution photos and interviews. No formal medical record; it is a physical observation.
Mother Suzy Purnell was a model. Father’s job details have been inconsistently reported; automotive industry is the most common claim.

Why Ella Purnell’s Career Trajectory Matters

Ella Purnell represents a new generation of British actors who transition seamlessly from stage to screen and from live‑action to voice work. Her dual roles in two major 2021 series — Yellowjackets and Arcane — gave her a rare cross‑genre appeal: survival horror and animated fantasy. She has avoided typecasting by choosing diverse characters: a 1990s soccer player, a post‑apocalyptic survivor, a traumatized gunslinger, and a video‑game icon. Compared to peers like Sydney Sweeney, Purnell has focused more on genre projects and voice acting, building a career that resists easy categorization.

What Do Critics and Colleagues Say?

“I’m drawn to characters who are flawed and messy. Jackie in Yellowjackets was that perfect blend of strong and vulnerable.”
— Ella Purnell, interview with The Independent (2024)

“Ella brought so much raw emotion to Jinx. She understood the character’s pain and manic energy from day one.”
Arcane showrunner Christian Linke

Summary: What You Need to Know About Ella Purnell

Ella Purnell is a versatile British actress who rose to fame through her roles in Yellowjackets, Arcane, Fallout, and Sweetpea. She began acting as a child and has steadily built a filmography that spans live‑action and voice work. While some personal details — such as relationship status and exact family background — remain private, her professional trajectory is clear: she is one of the most in‑demand performers of her generation. For a complete list of credits, visit the Ella Purnell movies and TV shows filmography page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ella Purnell’s net worth?

As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at $2‑3 million, but no official figures have been published.

Does Ella Purnell have any siblings?

Yes, she has two younger brothers.

What is Ella Purnell’s height?

She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall.

Did Ella Purnell do her own stunts in Fallout?

In several interviews, she mentioned doing many of her own stunts, including fight choreography.

Is Ella Purnell on social media?

Yes, she is active on Instagram (@ella_purnell) but has stated she uses it sparingly to protect her privacy.

What was Ella Purnell’s first movie role?

Her first credited film role was as a young Ruth in Never Let Me Go (2010).

Does Ella Purnell still appear in Yellowjackets?

Her character Jackie died in Season 1, but Purnell has appeared in flashback and ghost sequences in later seasons. She is confirmed for Season 3.

What is Ella Purnell’s nationality?

She is British and holds English nationality.

Who are Ella Purnell’s parents?

Her mother is Suzy Purnell (former model); her father is Keith Purnell (automotive industry). These details come from a limited number of interview mentions and are considered the most corroborated.

What upcoming projects does Ella Purnell have?

Sweetpea Season 2 (confirmed), Yellowjackets Season 3 (confirmed), a mystery thriller film (pre‑production), and the animated feature ViQueens (post‑production).

James Arthur Cooper

About the author

James Arthur Cooper

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