Ella Purnell is a talented actress who has steadily made her mark in the entertainment world with her impressive acting skills and charming personality. From her early start in London’s theater scene to starring in Hollywood movies and TV shows, Ella’s journey is filled with hard work, dedication, and passion. She has taken on many different roles, showing her ability to play a wide range of characters. Besides acting, she is also involved in charity work and social causes, making her even more inspiring.
She was born on September 17, 1996, in London, England. Ella caught everyone’s attention when she played Young Ruth in Never Let Me Go (2010). Since then, she has appeared in several popular movies and TV shows, such as Maleficent (2014), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Yellowjackets (2021–2025), and Fallout (2024).
Outside of acting, Ella co-founded Educate2Eradicate in 2016, a charity that works to stop honor-based violence and forced child marriage. Her dedication to both her career and social work has earned her admiration from fans and people in the industry.
Age & Birthday
Ella was born on September 17, 1996, in London. As of June 2025, she is 28 years old. She grew up in the Bethnal Green area of London. Her star sign is Virgo, known for being hardworking and artistic, which perfectly matches her personality.
Ella attended several schools, including Bethnal Green Montessori, Forest School, and The City of London School for Girls. She later joined Sylvia Young Theatre School and Young Actors Theatre Islington, where she trained in acting, singing, and dancing. Although she once thought about going to university to become a children’s writer or teacher, she chose to continue acting and soon found success in Hollywood.
Family Background
Ella comes from a supportive family. Her father, Simon Reid, is a businessman, while her mother, Suzy Purnell, works as a yoga instructor. After her parents separated, Ella lived mainly with her mother and stepfather, Jon Squirrell, who is a personal trainer and gym owner. Jon has always supported Ella and her career.
Her father later married Isabelle Peterson Reid, a Swedish artist. Ella has three half-brothers from her father’s second marriage: Noa, Enzo, and Leon Reid. Even though they live separately, Ella remains close to her father and brothers, often spending time with them during holidays.
Ella Purnell Wiki | BIO
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ella Summer Purnell |
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1996 (Tuesday) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Hometown | London, England |
| Height | 5′ 5″ (165 cm) |
| Weight | 56 kg |
| Eye Colour | Hazel Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Blonde |
| Education | Bethnal Green Montessori, Forest School, The City of London School for Girls, Sylvia Young Theatre School, Young Actors Theatre Islington |
| Acting Training | Acting, Singing, and Dancing at Sylvia Young Theatre School |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Boyfriend | Max Bennett Kelly (musician) |
| Father | Simon Reid (businessman) |
| Mother | Suzy Purnell (yoga instructor) |
| Half Brothers | Noa Purnell, Enzo Reid, Leon Reid |
| Debut Film | Never Let Me Go (2010) as Young Ruth |
| Debut TV Show | Cyberbully (2015) as Megan |
| Notable Movies | Maleficent (2014), Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Army of the Dead (2021) |
| Popular TV Shows | Yellowjackets (2021–2025), Arcane (2021–2024), Fallout (2024) |
| Podcast Projects | The Seneschal: A Rebel Moon Story (2024) as Raina |
| Video Game Roles | Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova (2022) as Gwyn |
| Music Video Appearance | Imagine Dragons x J.I.D: Enemy (2021) as Jinx (voice) |
| Net Worth (Approx.) | $10 million USD |
| @ella_purnell | |
| Wikipedia | @Ella_Purnell |
Physical Appearance
Ella has a graceful and attractive appearance that stands out. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 cm) and weighs about 56 kg. She keeps herself fit and healthy, which shows in her performances. Her hazel brown eyes are very expressive, helping her convey deep emotions in her roles. Her dark blonde hair, which she styles in different ways, adds to her versatile look.
Education
Ella’s education played a big role in building her acting career. She studied at Bethnal Green Montessori, Forest School, and The City of London School for Girls. Her love for acting led her to attend Sylvia Young Theatre School and Young Actors Theatre Islington. There, she trained in acting, singing, and dancing, preparing her for the challenges of the acting world.
Early Career & Theater Work
Ella started acting at a young age. When she was 13, she appeared in the musical Oliver! at London’s Theatre Royal in 2009. This sparked her love for performing. Her big break came in 2010 when she played Young Ruth in Never Let Me Go. She then starred in movies like Ways to Live Forever (2010) and Intruders (2011). Screen International even named her one of the “10 UK Stars of Tomorrow” in 2010.
She continued acting in short films and movies like Candy (2011) and Kick-Ass 2 (2013), showing her ability to take on different types of roles.
Hollywood Rise
Ella’s career took off after Never Let Me Go. In 2014, she played Mackenzie in Wildlike, which won many awards. That same year, she played Young Maleficent in Maleficent alongside Angelina Jolie, which gave her international fame.
In 2016, she landed a major role in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, directed by Tim Burton. Though she was unsure about delaying university for the role, the movie’s success confirmed she made the right choice. This role helped her land more big projects.
Hollywood Return
Ella returned with several highly praised performances. In 2017, she starred in Access All Areas, playing Mia, a rebellious teenager. In 2016, she co-founded Educate2Eradicate, focusing on ending honor-based violence and child marriage.
She continued acting in various roles, including Lady Maria Grey in Belgravia (2020) and Kate Ward in Army of the Dead (2021). Ella also explored voice acting, podcasts, and video games, showing her wide range of talents.
TV Series & Major Roles
One of Ella’s standout roles is as Teen Jackie in Yellowjackets, a psychological thriller about a high school soccer team that survives a plane crash. She also voiced Jinx in Netflix’s Arcane, where her performance was praised.
In 2024, she starred in Sweetpea, a dark comedy thriller. She also played Lucy MacLean in Amazon Prime’s Fallout, which became one of the platform’s biggest hits. Ella voiced Jane in Invincible Season 2 and Gwyn in Star Trek: Prodigy, an animated series introducing new characters to the Star Trek universe.