Ella Purnell: Relationships, Eye Condition & Career

A face that carries both menace and vulnerability — that’s the rare gift Ella Purnell brings to every role. The British actress has quietly amassed a résumé ranging from Disney villains to post-apocalyptic survivors, but behind the screen lies a story of personal quirks, including a near-blinding fall and the infamous “poop finger” incident that fans are only beginning to understand.

Age: 28 (born 17 September 1996) ·
Instagram followers: 2 million ·
Known for: Fallout, Yellowjackets, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children ·
Notable eye condition: Undiagnosed Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)

Eight key facts about Ella Purnell, one pattern: her public persona blends professional achievement with personal quirks that make her more relatable.

Who is Ella Purnell in a relationship with?

Despite persistent curiosity from fans, Ella Purnell has not publicly confirmed a current partner. Her dating history, however, includes several reported names. According to Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine), she was briefly linked with Tom Holland after a 2017 BAFTAs afterparty photo, but no relationship was ever confirmed. The same article notes that a rumor about Brad Pitt was debunked by Purnell herself, who said she had never met him.

Is Ella Purnell LGBTQ?

Purnell has not publicly identified as LGBTQ. No credible evidence supports a non-heterosexual orientation. Her dating history, per Who’s Dated Who (celebrity dating archive), includes James Coates (2018), Rob Raco (2019-2020), and reportedly Asa Butterfield (2015-2016). None of these relationships have been confirmed by Purnell herself.

Does Ella Purnell have a wife?

No. Purnell is not married and has never mentioned a wife. Speculation appears to stem from misunderstanding of her private dating life.

Did Tom Holland date Ella Purnell?

The rumor of a romance between Ella Purnell and Tom Holland is unsubstantiated. Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine) reported that the two were photographed together at an afterparty, but neither party ever confirmed a relationship. The gossip appears to have faded with no evidence.

The pattern: Purnell’s guarded personal life allows her to control her narrative.

What eye condition does Ella Purnell have?

Ella Purnell has spoken about symptoms consistent with an undiagnosed condition called Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). In an October 2024 interview with Newsweek (news publication), she described falling down a staircase, hitting her head near her eye, and nearly losing vision in that eye. That incident was a wake-up call, but Purnell also mentioned long-standing clumsiness and poor depth perception — classic signs of BVD.

Why are Ella Purnell’s eyes so large?

Fans frequently comment on the size of Purnell’s eyes. An optometry account on TikTok (social media platform) speculated that she may have undiagnosed BVD, a condition where the eyes are misaligned, causing the brain to overcompensate — which can make the eyes appear larger. The same TikTok claimed that prism glasses could help, but emphasized that this is not a medical diagnosis.

Ella Purnell’s Undiagnosed BVD: Clumsiness & Poor Depth Perception

In the same Newsweek interview, Purnell said the fall made her “say no more often” and value friends and family. She did not name BVD directly. However, the TikTok analysis by Vivid Visions Optometry linked her clumsy public persona to possible BVD. No official medical source has confirmed this.

The implication: without a formal diagnosis, her eye condition remains a topic of speculation.

Did Ella Purnell lose a finger?

No — Ella Purnell did not lose a finger. But a gruesome injury on the set of Fallout led to the now-famous “poop finger” story. According to IMDb (professional film database), Purnell suffered a finger injury while filming the Amazon series. The injury was so severe that she had to wear a bandage that trapped dirt and moisture, creating an unpleasant odor — hence the nickname. Purnell later shared the story in interviews, making it one of the more bizarre behind-the-scenes tales from the show.

Ella Purnell Talks Having a “Poop Finger” While Filming ‘Fallout’ – IMDb

Ella Purnell described a finger injury on set that became infected due to a bandage, leading co-stars to call it her “poop finger.” She recounted the anecdote in an interview with IMDb (professional film database), calling it disgusting but hilarious.

The catch: the story, while memorable, is an anecdote and not a complete picture of her on-set experiences.

What are Ella Purnell’s most notable movies and TV shows?

Ella Purnell’s career spans blockbuster films and acclaimed series. Four roles stand out:

• Maleficent (2014): She played the young version of Angelina Jolie’s character in Disney’s live-action origin story (IMDb (professional film database)).
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016): She played Emma Bloom in Tim Burton’s fantasy adaptation (IMDb (professional film database)).
• Yellowjackets (2021-2023): She portrayed Jackie Taylor, a popular teen stranded in the wilderness, in the Showtime hit (IMDb (professional film database)).
• Fallout (2024): She leads the Amazon Prime series as Lucy MacLean, a vault dweller navigating a post-apocalyptic world (IMDb (professional film database)).

The pattern: Purnell gravitates toward strong, imperfect female characters in fantasy and survival settings. For similar celebrity profiles, see Stana Katic Castle Controversy and Her Career and Kelsey Asbille Biography: Yellowstone Exit, Ethnicity & Movies.

Ella Purnell Yellowjackets

Purnell’s role as Jackie in Yellowjackets earned her critical praise. Jackie starts as a queen bee and ends as a tragic figure — a role that showcases Purnell’s range. The series ran from 2021 to 2023, with Purnell appearing in both seasons (IMDb (professional film database)).

Ella Purnell Maleficent

Her film debut as young Maleficent (2014) launched her into the mainstream. The film grossed over $758 million worldwide (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)). Purnell was 17 during filming.

Ella Purnell movies and TV shows

A complete list of her credits on IMDb (professional film database) includes over 20 titles, including Sweetpea (2024), Army of the Dead (2021), and Churchill (2017).

What is Ella Purnell’s age and physical appearance?

Ella Purnell was born 17 September 1996, making her 28 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)). She is approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) tall. Her natural hair color is blonde, often seen in both her roles and public appearances.

Ella Purnell height

Multiple sources, including Wikipedia (free encyclopedia), list her height as 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m).

Ella Purnell young

Purnell began acting at age 9 in the West End production of Oliver!. Her early film work includes Never Let Me Go (2010) and Intruders (2011) (Wikipedia (free encyclopedia)).

Ella Purnell blonde

She is naturally blonde, though she has dyed her hair for specific roles. In Sweetpea, she sported dark hair, but her blonde look remains her defining public appearance.

What this means: her unique appearance is both a trademark and a potential clue to an underlying medical issue.

“I fell down a staircase and hit my head next to my eye — it nearly blinded me. That experience made me realize I need to say no more often.”

— Ella Purnell to Newsweek (news publication), October 2024

Confirmed facts vs. Unconfirmed rumors

The balance: the confirmed facts anchor her public identity, while the unclear aspects leave room for curiosity.

Ella Purnell’s journey from child actress to post-apocalyptic survivor is marked by resilience — both physical and professional. For fans looking for a role model who owns her flaws, Purnell’s open acknowledgment of near-blindness, clumsy episodes, and a literal poop finger makes her refreshingly human. The choice for her audience is clear: appreciate the authenticity behind the screen persona, or keep feeding the rumor mill. Either way, Purnell continues to play by her own rules.

Fans som följer Ella Purnells karriär kommer att känna igen hennes senaste rollen i Sweetpea som en av hennes mest utmanande hittills.

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