Ella Purnell, a 28-year-old from London, never planned to become an actor. Despite growing up performing in musicals and films, she wasn't sure she wa
Ella Purnell, a 28-year-old from London, never planned to become an actor. Despite growing up performing in musicals and films, she wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue a career in show business. “I never really planned on becoming an actor. I feel a lot of guilt and impostor syndrome attached to that statement, because I know a lot of people have wanted to be an actor ever since they were kids. And that just wasn’t me.”
However, Purnell’s trajectory took an unexpected turn. She decided to put her acting career on hold at 18 to attend university and focus on writing children’s books. But a role in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children forced her to reevaluate her plans. “I realised I didn’t need to go to university to be a writer – I could just write!”
After that, Purnell’s acting career took off. She landed a role in Sweetbitter, a TV series about a young woman coming of age in the restaurant industry. The show was a hit, and Purnell’s performance earned her critical acclaim. She followed that up with a lead role in Yellowjackets, a drama about a group of teenage girls who survive a plane crash in the wilderness. The show was a massive success, and Purnell’s performance was praised for its nuance and complexity.
But it was her role in Fallout, a post-apocalyptic drama based on the popular video game, that cemented Purnell’s status as a rising star. The show was a huge hit, attracting 65 million viewers in its first 16 days of release. Purnell’s performance as Lucy, a young woman searching for her father in a post-apocalyptic world, was widely praised.
Now, Purnell is returning to the UK for the new Sky Atlantic thriller Sweetpea. In the show, she plays Rhiannon, a receptionist who turns to a life of murder and violence after being walked all over. The show is a departure from Purnell’s previous work, which has often focused on female empowerment and complex characters.
Despite the darker subject matter, Purnell is excited about the role. “When you go through an intense trauma, you get stuck in this arrested development,” she says. “When you’re an adult and you’re dealing with these traumas, it can be really difficult to cope. I think that’s what makes Rhiannon so relatable – she’s a person who has been through so much, and she’s still fighting to survive.”
Purnell took extensive care with the role, researching trauma and abuse to ensure her portrayal was accurate and sensitive. “I had to do some mental gymnastics to understand [Rhiannon’s behavior],” she says. “I didn’t relate to her, but I empathized with her.”
The actor also worked closely with the show’s creator, Kirstie Swain, to develop the character and ensure that Rhiannon was a complex and nuanced portrayal. “I think the show is trying to make a point about how hard it is to create moral complexity in female characters,” Purnell says. “Women are often expected to be likable and pretty and perfectly packaged. It’s hard to create a character who is a little bit rough around the edges, but still deserves empathy.”
In the end, Purnell’s hard work paid off. Sweetpea is a powerful and moving portrayal of trauma and violence, and Purnell’s performance is a testament to her acting chops.
Conclusion:
Ella Purnell’s journey from struggling to find her place in the industry to becoming a rising star is a testament to her talent and perseverance. From her early days in musicals and films to her breakout roles in Sweetbitter and Yellowjackets, Purnell has proven herself to be a versatile and complex actress. Her latest role in Sweetpea is a departure from her previous work, but Purnell is excited about the challenge of playing a darker and more complex character.
FAQs:
* What inspired you to start acting?
Purnell: I was performing in musicals and films from a young age, but I never really planned on becoming an actor. It just sort of happened!
* What drew you to the role of Rhiannon in Sweetpea?
Purnell: I was excited about the opportunity to play a darker and more complex character. I think it’s an important story to tell, and I was eager to take on the challenge.
* How did you research trauma and abuse for the role?
Purnell: I read a lot of books and articles, and I also spoke to people who had experienced trauma and abuse. I wanted to make sure that my portrayal was accurate and sensitive.
* What do you think is the most important thing for audiences to take away from Sweetpea?
Purnell: I think the show is trying to make a point about the importance of empathy and understanding. We all deserve compassion and kindness, regardless of our pasts or our circumstances.
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