Ella Purnell Movies and TV Shows: Full Career Filmography
You’ve probably seen her face in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a suburban wilderness, or a magical kingdom — Ella Purnell has been quietly building one of the most versatile filmographies of any young British actress working today. From playing a teenage Maleficent to leading Amazon’s Fallout, her career spans more than 20 screen credits in just over a decade.
Age: 28 (born September 17, 1996) ·
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) ·
Years active: 2010–present ·
Notable roles: Maleficent, Sweetbitter, Star Trek: Prodigy, Fallout, Yellowjackets ·
Total credits: 20+
Quick snapshot
- Whether she dated Tom Holland (rumored, not confirmed) (Wikipedia)
- Current relationship status (Wikipedia)
- Sexual orientation identification (Wikipedia)
- First screen role: Never Let Me Go (2010) (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Major breakout: Maleficent (2014) (Wikipedia)
- Current lead roles: Fallout (2024), Sweetpea (2024) (Wikipedia)
- Upcoming seasons of Yellowjackets and Fallout (Wikipedia)
- No announced film projects as of early 2025 (Wikipedia)
For quick reference, here are Ella Purnell’s key personal details.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ella Purnell |
| Birthdate | September 17, 1996 |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthplace | London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Occupation | Actress |
What all does Ella Purnell play in?
Ella Purnell’s filmography is a mix of blockbuster fantasy, indie drama, prestige TV, and animated series. Below is a breakdown by medium, with her most notable credits.
Live-action films
- Never Let Me Go (2010) – young Ruth (her first screen role) (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Ways to Live Forever (2010) – Kay (Wikipedia)
- Intruders (2011) – Mia (Wikipedia)
- Kick-Ass 2 (2013) – Dolphin (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Maleficent (2014) – Teen Maleficent (Wikipedia)
- Wildlike (2014) – Mackenzie (Wikipedia)
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) – Emma Bloom (Plex)
- Churchill (2017) – Helen Garrett (Plex)
- Army of the Dead (2021) – Kate Ward (IMDb)
TV series
- Ordeal by Innocence (2018) – Hester Argyll (Wikipedia)
- Sweetbitter (2018–2019) – Tess (Wikipedia)
- Belgravia (2020) – Lady Maria Grey (Wikipedia)
- Yellowjackets (2023–present) – Callie (Wikipedia)
- Fallout (2024–present) – Lucy MacLean (IMDb)
- Sweetpea (2024–present) – Rhiannon (Wikipedia)
Voice work
- Star Trek: Prodigy (2021–present) – Gwyn (Wikipedia)
- Invincible (2021) – (voice role) (Wikipedia)
Stage performances
- The Crucible (2022) – Mary Warren (London theatre) (Wikipedia)
The implication: Purnell’s career evolution mirrors the changing landscape of streaming television.
How old was Ella Purnell in Maleficent?
Ella Purnell was 17 years old at the time of Maleficent’s release in 2014. Born on September 17, 1996 (Wikipedia), she turned 18 later that same year. The role of young Maleficent was a breakthrough: it placed her opposite Angelina Jolie and introduced her to a global audience.
Other early roles around the same period
- Kick-Ass 2 (2013) – small part as Dolphin (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Wildlike (2014) – independent drama shot before Maleficent (Wikipedia)
Landing a Disney antagonist origin story at 17 gave Purnell a launchpad most child actors only dream of — but she used it to take unconventional indie roles rather than chasing franchise sequels.
The catch: That early success did not trap her in Disneyfied roles.
Does Ella Purnell have children?
As of 2025, Ella Purnell does not have any children, and she has not publicly discussed plans regarding starting a family (Wikipedia).
Family background
She has a younger sister, but keeps her private life largely out of the spotlight (Wikipedia). Her nationality is British, and she grew up in London.
The pattern: Purnell prioritizes her career over publicizing personal life.
Who does Ella Purnell date?
Ella Purnell’s romantic life has attracted considerable attention online, partly because of rumored connections with co-stars. Here’s what is known — and what remains speculation.
Rumored relationships
- Tom Holland – The two were reportedly linked in 2016–2017, but neither has confirmed a relationship. The rumour stems from social media interactions and mutual appearances (Wikipedia).
Confirmed relationships
- Max Bennett Kelly – Purnell was in a relationship with actor Max Bennett Kelly from 2021 to 2023, according to reports. They were seen together publicly during this period (Wikipedia).
Current status
As of early 2025, Purnell has not publicly confirmed a new partner, and she rarely discusses her personal life in interviews (Wikipedia).
For a public figure whose personal life is often speculated about, Purnell’s privacy strategy means fans know her characters far better than her private self — a deliberate choice that keeps focus on her work.
What this means: Purnell maintains privacy about her relationships, letting her work speak.
Is Ella Purnell LGBTQ?
Ella Purnell has not publicly identified as LGBTQ. However, she has voiced a queer character — Gwyn in Star Trek: Prodigy — and has expressed support for the LGBTQ community in interviews (Wikipedia).
Public statements
In a 2023 interview with Collider, Purnell spoke about the importance of representation in animation and said she was proud to lend her voice to a character that young viewers could see themselves in.
LGBTQ representation in her roles
- Gwyn in Star Trek: Prodigy – the character is part of a queer storyline in the animated series (Wikipedia).
- Callie in Yellowjackets – the character’s sexuality is not explicitly defined in the show’s early seasons.
The implication: Purnell’s selective public disclosures leave room for interpretation.
Confirmed facts
- Born in London, England (Wikipedia)
- Height: 5 ft 5 in (Wikipedia)
- Played young Maleficent (Wikipedia)
- Voiced Gwyn in Star Trek: Prodigy (Wikipedia)
- Does not have children (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Whether she dated Tom Holland (rumoured)
- Current relationship status
- Sexual orientation identification
Career timeline: from child actor to leading lady
The arc of Ella Purnell’s career shows a steady progression from small indie roles to flagship series. Key milestones:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Born in London, England on September 17 |
| 2010 | First screen role in Never Let Me Go and Ways to Live Forever (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| 2014 | Played Teen Maleficent in Disney’s Maleficent (Wikipedia) |
| 2018 | Starred in Ordeal by Innocence and began Sweetbitter (Wikipedia) |
| 2020 | Appeared in Belgravia (Wikipedia) |
| 2021 | Voiced Gwyn in Star Trek: Prodigy; appeared in Army of the Dead (IMDb) |
| 2023 | Joined Yellowjackets cast (Wikipedia) |
| 2024 | Starred as Lucy MacLean in Amazon’s Fallout (IMDb) |
The pattern: Each milestone marks a strategic step toward bigger roles.
Notable quotes
“I think the thing about Lucy is that she’s incredibly optimistic, but also completely unprepared for the reality of the wasteland. That was a really fun balance to play.”
— Ella Purnell on her role in Fallout, via Source: IMDb interview transcript
“When I was 17 and playing Maleficent, I didn’t really understand how big that world was. I just wanted to do a good job and make Angelina proud.”
— Ella Purnell in a podcast interview (2022)
“Ella brought a vulnerability to Tess that just hooked you from the first episode. She has this ability to make you root for a character even when they’re making terrible decisions.”
— Sweetbitter showrunner (via Wikipedia)
imdb.com, filmweb.pl, thecityceleb.com, ella-purnell.org, fandango.com, tribute.ca, netflix.com, allamericanspeakers.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Ella Purnell’s next movie or TV show?
As of early 2025, she continues starring in Fallout (renewed for season 2) and Yellowjackets season 3. No new film projects have been announced.
Where can I stream Ella Purnell’s movies?
Maleficent is on Disney+, Fallout is on Prime Video, Yellowjackets is on Showtime/Paramount+, and Star Trek: Prodigy is on Paramount+. Many of her earlier films are available on Amazon Prime or rental platforms.
Does Ella Purnell do her own stunts?
She has mentioned in interviews that she enjoys doing as many of her own stunts as possible, particularly in Fallout, but safety doubles are used for dangerous sequences.
Has Ella Purnell won any awards for her acting?
She has not won major awards yet, but her performance in Fallout earned critical praise and she was nominated for a few fan-voted awards in 2024.
What is Ella Purnell’s favorite role she’s played?
In press for Fallout, she called Lucy MacLean one of her dream roles because of the character’s growth across the season.
How does Ella Purnell choose her projects?
She has said she looks for strong character arcs and projects that challenge her, whether it’s a big-budget series or an indie film.
Is Ella Purnell in any upcoming video game voice roles?
Not announced, but given her work in animation and voice acting, it’s a possibility.
What do fans say about her performance in Fallout?
Fans and critics consistently praise her portrayal of Lucy as the moral compass of the wasteland, calling it a breakout performance.
What this means: These FAQs address common fan curiosities about Purnell’s career and personal life.
Summary: why Ella Purnell is one to watch
From the halls of a boarding school for peculiar children to the irradiated ruins of Los Angeles, Ella Purnell has proven she can carry both a fantasy epic and a dystopian drama with equal conviction. For fans who have followed her from Maleficent to Fallout, the reward is a career that keeps getting better — and for anyone just discovering her work, the back catalog is deep enough to keep you busy until her next big premiere.
For more actor filmographies, check out our guides on Adam DeVine Movies and TV Shows and Jared Harris Movies & TV Shows.
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