As a fervent admirer of Ella Purnell’s captivating performances, I find myself utterly captivated by her extraordinary journey in the world of acting. The London-born star has truly come into her own on both sides of the Atlantic, gracing our screens with her mesmerizing portrayals in Fallout, Yellowjackets, and now Sweetpea.
This interview first appeared in TopMob magazine.
Ella Purnell shines as the lead actress in one of Amazon Prime’s most prominent series this year, the post-apocalyptic version of the video game Fallout.
Additionally, she shone brightly as the standout performer during the inaugural season of Yellowjackets, a series that follows a team of New Jersey teenage girls who find themselves lost in the harsh Canadian wilderness.
But despite these transatlantic plaudits, the Los Angeles-based 28-year-old is actually a Londoner — and is back to acting in her own accent for the first time in years, in English drama Sweetpea.
Looking back at the age of 18, you had thoughts about leaving acting behind and pursuing teaching instead. Can you express your feelings of relief now that you chose to continue in your acting career?
Extremely relieved, yet still hoping for teaching opportunities in the future, I’m enjoying the freedom now – the ability to shape my characters and choose roles more freely. After years of persistent efforts, I’ve finally gained entry into the spaces I had long sought access to.
As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always been fascinated. What drew you to America – was it the allure of opportunities there, with their jobs being larger and more thrilling than what was available elsewhere?
The choice wasn’t primarily based on strategy; it was more about not receiving the necessary components here.
In Sweetpea, it seems like this is the initial role where you’re using your natural accent since Belgravia in 2020. Does this mean fewer things to consider during your performance?
It is. But I do feel very guilty about that accent thing. When I come home and I happen to use American words, I feel like I’m betraying my nation!
During the filming of Sweetpea, there were times when I unintentionally adopted an American accent. This incident served as a remarkable, humbling experience for me, as it showed that certain aspects of my acting were on autopilot. It further indicated that perhaps I had overlooked some of my inherent acting instincts. To correct this, I realized the need to return to the fundamentals.
The show is described, memorably, as a “coming-of-rage” story. What does that actually mean?
In a nutshell, I often find that if we exclude the violent acts, it paints a delightful narrative. My character, Rhiannon, was subjected to bullying in her childhood and as a result, she’s never truly blossomed into adulthood. To avoid her tormentors, she learned to be inconspicuous, shying away from experiences that most people embrace. She never went on dates, has no friends, and has never stepped foot in a club. However, as the story unfolds, Rhiannon begins to discover a sense of power within herself.
She feels more empowered by killing her bullies and people who cross her.
How would you describe the tone?
This production strongly embodies the genre of dark humor, and its distinctly British flavor adds another layer that I particularly appreciate.
What does Sweetpea say about the life of a woman in the modern world?
For Rhiannon, it’s something deeply familiar to experience being overlooked and underrated, but initially, this isn’t strictly tied to gender. What intrigued me most when delving into her character, particularly the serial killer aspect, was realizing that she’s not a psychopath. Instead, she possesses the ability to empathize. I strive for unique portrayals in my roles.
Was Yellowjackets a significant change from all your previous work, or did you still choose to watch the final scene of it?
With Yellowjackets, I’d never done anything quite so gritty – and can I tell you a secret? I’ve not watched the end, because it might freak me out. I’m not sure humans are supposed to watch themselves get eaten… While I was filming Fallout, I was getting all these selfies from the cast and crew of Yellowjackets with the model of my charred, mangled corpse.
It was a bit disconcerting.
Was there a considerable amount of initial excitement about Fallout, given its connection to a popular video game franchise? And did the response far exceed predictions? Frankly, I can’t help but wonder if you were taken aback by it as well.
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I poured my heart and soul into that project. The production was grueling, but the satisfaction I felt made every moment worthwhile. It wasn’t until I returned to Los Angeles following its release that I truly grasped its impact. Strangers on the street would approach me, expressing their deep admiration for it. That level of connection and appreciation was uncharted territory for me – a truly humbling and overwhelming experience.
As Fallout was released, you were in the United Kingdom shooting The Scurry – a future comedy horror starring Craig Roberts alongside Rhys Ifans and Paapa Essiedu.
Absolutely! Now I have the funds available for a small-scale British production focusing on murderous squirrels set in Wales, which will run for approximately six weeks.
Immediately following the release of Fallout, I departed for Wales. It couldn’t have been more perfect for me to seclude myself in the quaint, yet unusual, part of Bridgend, and produce an absurdly funny, yet aesthetically pleasing, horror-comedy that was far from intelligent.
And finally, Sweetpea’s Rhiannon has a kill list. Who would be on yours?
Oh my! I’ve just realized that someone removed the side mirror from my car without leaving a note behind. If you happen to be the one, I’d appreciate it if you could reach out to me.
Sweetpea airs on Thursday 3rd October at 9pm on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
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2024-09-30 16:34