Ella Purnell’s performance in Fallout season 1 has helped secure the show rave reviews and get fans excited for the franchise’s future, but there are other ways to see more of the 27-year-old before season 2 arrives. Despite having a relatively short-lived career, Purnell has already taken on an impressive variety of projects spanning multiple genres. While many of these have been as critically lauded as Fallout, one in particular has a reputation for being unfairly underrated – despite more rave reviews.

Despite being born in Whitechapel, it is telling that many of Purnell’s best-known roles have involved American characters. Beyond the innocently optimistic Lucy MacLean in Fallout, she has also starred as the haughty-yet-well-intentioned Jackie in Yellowjackets, determined survivor Kate Ward in Army of the Dead, and Jinx in the League of Legends adaptation Arcane. All of these roles exhibit different aspects of Purnell’s skillset. Despite the success of these projects, however, one particular role ranked as an underrated career highlight.

Ella Purnell’s Role In Star Trek: Prodigy Can Ease The Wait For Fallout Season 2

Ella Purnell voices Gwyndala in Star Trek: Prodigy Gwyndala Star Trek Prodigy
Admiral Janeway, Dal R'El talk to Gwyndala in Star Trek: Prodigy's season 1 finale Gwynala and Dal appear in close up on Star Trek: Prodigy
Gwyn in Star Trek Prodigy

Before featuring in Fallout season 1, Ella Purnell established her credentials in the sci-fi space with her underrated vocal performance in Star Trek: Prodigy. As Gwyndala, Purnell is one of the key characters in the ensemble, playing a rebellious and strong-willed alien with a talent for languages. Although the story may not seem to have many parallels with Fallout‘s signature brand of dystopian violence, there are several surprising connections that make it a perfect replacement for the hit Amazon Prime Show.

Just as Fallout quickly establishes its post-nuclear war setting, so too does Star Trek: Prodigy launch straight into the story of a young crew finding their way in the universe.

One thematic link is both show’s emphasis on immersive world-building. Just as Fallout quickly establishes its post-nuclear war setting, so too does Star Trek: Prodigy launch straight into the story of a young crew finding their way in the universe. There are also interesting contrasts between Purnell’s characters in Fallout and Star Trek: Prodigy, with Gwyn much more battle-hardened and suspicious than Lucy’s naively enthusiastic protagonist. This displays the full extent of Purnell’s acting range, helping Fallout and Star Trek: Prodigy work surprisingly well together.

Why Star Trek: Prodigy Is Ella Purnell’s Most Underrated Project

Star Trek Prodigy Gwyndala Protostar with Voyager and NX-01 Enterprise

Another reason why Star Trek: Prodigy is the ideal follow-up to Fallout is that it has, by and large, failed to get the attention it deserves. Despite stellar reviews and a positive audience reaction, the show was canceled by Paramount+. Although it has since been picked up by Netflix, with a second season due in 2024, the initial cancelation speaks to an indifference about the project among key decision-makers.

Admittedly, as an animated series, aspects of Star Trek: Prodigy are less eye-catching than other projects within the long-running franchise. Nevertheless, the show’s 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating is one of the highest in Star Trek‘s history, highlighting that the show did more than enough to warrant further seasons. With Fallout season 2 still some time away, Star Trek: Prodigy provides a great opportunity for viewers to enjoy another of Ella Purnell’s memorable performances.