You know the type: an actor who keeps showing up in your favourite shows and films, but whose name you can’t quite place. Ella Purnell is that actress. From a young Maleficent in Disney’s fantasy blockbuster to the survivalist thriller Yellowjackets and the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout, she has quietly built a career that spans nearly 15 years.
Born: 17 September 1996, London, UK ·
Notable roles: Maleficent, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Yellowjackets, Fallout ·
Instagram followers: 2 million ·
Acting debut: 2010 (Never Let Me Go)
Quick snapshot
- British actress, born 1996 in London (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia))
- Starred in Yellowjackets and Fallout (Newsweek (news magazine))
- Appeared in Maleficent (2014) as a child version of the character (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia))
- Current relationship status (Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet))
- Sexual orientation — no public statement (Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet))
- Whether she has a diagnosed eye condition (Southern Focus (lifestyle site))
- Nature of connection with Tom Holland (Oz Reviewly (entertainment blog))
- 1996: Born in London, England (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia))
- 2010: Film debut in Never Let Me Go (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia))
- 2024: Lead role in Fallout (Amazon Prime series) (Newsweek (news magazine))
- Starring in Sweetpea, a new series set to release in 2024 (Newsweek (news magazine))
- Continued role in Yellowjackets (Season 3 expected) (Yahoo Entertainment (media platform))
Five key facts about Ella Purnell, pulled from verified sources, show the trajectory of a career that started in early adolescence and now commands some of the biggest streaming productions.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ella Summer Reed Purnell |
| Date of birth | 17 September 1996 |
| Place of birth | London, England, UK |
| Height | Approximately 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Notable work | Yellowjackets, Fallout, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children |
Who is Ella Purnell in a relationship with?
Current relationship status
Ella Purnell deliberately keeps her romantic life out of the spotlight. According to a profile by Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet), she has not publicly confirmed any current relationship. However, the same source notes that she was seen in public with musician Max Bennett Kelly in April 2022, and later social media posts appeared to acknowledge him as her partner. No official statement from Purnell or her representatives has been made about the nature of that connection.
Past relationships and rumors
Multiple secondary sources link Purnell to actors Rob Raco and Asa Butterfield, though none of these reports are verified by the actress herself. Who’s Dated Who (celebrity dating site) lists both names based on tabloid sightings. The most persistent rumour — a supposed romance with Tom Holland — stems from a single BAFTAs afterparty photo in 2017. Oz Reviewly (entertainment blog) describes the speculation as “unsubstantiated,” and no credible source has confirmed any relationship between the two.
Purnell’s approach to relationships mirrors that of many young actors who choose to keep their private lives separate from their public personas. The result: a vacuum of verified information that is quickly filled by fan speculation.
The implication: Anyone searching for a definitive answer on Ella Purnell’s current partner will not find one. The available evidence points to a preference for privacy, with occasional public appearances that hint at a connection to musician Max Bennett Kelly — but no confirmation.
Is Ella Purnell LGBTQ?
Public statements on sexuality
Ella Purnell has never made a public statement about her sexual orientation. A review of all major interviews and profiles — including those from Tatler (British society magazine) and Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet) — reveals no mention of her sexuality.
Fan speculation and context
Speculation about Purnell being LGBTQ appears to stem from two sources: her role as Jackie Taylor in Yellowjackets, a character who had a relationship with another woman, and the general public curiosity that surrounds any celebrity who does not openly discuss their dating life. There is no evidence to support any label, and Purnell has not addressed the topic.
Without a statement from Purnell or her representatives, any claim about her sexuality remains speculation. The media’s tendency to read into on-screen roles can mislead audiences.
The catch: In the absence of information, the safest conclusion is that we simply do not know. Assuming otherwise would be an editorial choice, not a factual one.
Was Tom Holland with Ella Purnell?
Nature of their relationship
Tom Holland and Ella Purnell worked together on the 2017 film The Lost City of Z? Actually, they did not share a film. The rumour appears to originate from a single photo of the two at the 2017 BAFTAs afterparty. Oz Reviewly (entertainment blog) calls the connection “unconfirmed,” and no reliable source has ever reported that they dated. Holland himself has been in a public relationship with Zendaya since 2021.
Tom Holland’s best friend context
Tom Holland’s closest known friends are Harrison Osterfield (a fellow actor) and Zendaya. The rumour linking him to Purnell appears to have no basis beyond a single social media image. Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet) does not list Holland among Purnell’s reported connections.
The pattern: The Tom Holland rumour is a textbook example of how a single unfounded piece of gossip can gain traction online. For readers seeking accurate information about Purnell, it is best disregarded.
What is Ella Purnell’s ethnicity?
Family background
Ella Purnell was born in London to a mother and stepfather, with three brothers, according to The List (entertainment news). Her father is not widely discussed in profiles. Tatler (British society magazine) notes she grew up in Bethnal Green, East London, and attended the City of London School for Girls.
Nationality and heritage
Purnell is British by nationality. No specific ethnic breakdown — such as English, Irish, or other — has been publicly documented by Purnell or confirmed by a reliable source. Wikipedia (free encyclopedia) lists her simply as “British.”
The catch: While ethnicity is a common curiosity in celebrity profiles, Purnell herself has not addressed it, and no verified source provides a breakdown. The only confirmed fact is that she is a British citizen born in London.
Why are Ella Purnell’s eyes so big in real life?
Natural feature vs. medical condition
Among the most persistent questions about Ella Purnell is the size of her eyes. Online searches often ask whether she has a medical condition such as proptosis or binocular vision dysfunction (BVD). Southern Focus (lifestyle site) states that “no medical source has confirmed proptosis” and calls her eyes a “natural genetic feature.” An Oz Reviewly (entertainment blog) article claims “undiagnosed binocular vision dysfunction,” but the same piece acknowledges that no diagnosis has been made by a medical professional.
Public perception and media comments
Purnell has never addressed the speculation in an interview.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.