Ella Purnell Explains Why She Chose Fallout—Despite Not Being a Genre Fan

Ella Purnell, the breakout star of Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout, has revealed why she signed on to lead the hit series—even though she does not typically gravitate toward horror or gore-heavy storytelling. In an exclusive conversation, the actor explained that it was the show’s tone, humor, and worldbuilding that ultimately won her over.

Purnell returns as Lucy in Fallout Season 2, a character whose optimism and moral clarity helped ground the series’ brutal wasteland. Her casting initially surprised some fans, given her past comments about preferring lighter entertainment. Now, she has clarified what drew her to the project in the first place.

“It Made Me Laugh”: Why Fallout Felt Different

Addressing the perception that she dislikes horror and gore, Purnell said the assumption is slightly off the mark. Rather than avoiding the genre entirely, she simply chooses not to watch much of it and tends to favor comedies.

When she first read the script for Fallout, she found it unexpectedly funny. The humor, she said, stood out immediately and set the show apart from typical post-apocalyptic fare.

Purnell explained that the balance between comedy and drama, paired with the show’s distinctive aesthetic and characters, made the material feel inviting rather than intimidating. The scripts, she said, “made me laugh out loud,” and the richness of the Fallout universe sealed the decision.

Worldbuilding Over Gore

Another major draw was the worldbuilding inherited from the Fallout games. Purnell praised the franchise’s imaginative settings, strange creatures, and satirical edge, which she felt gave the story depth beyond violence or shock value.

Rather than leaning solely into darkness, the show uses humor to comment on power, morality, and survival. That tonal mix, Purnell noted, allowed her to connect with Lucy as a character who feels human—even hopeful—despite the chaos around her.

Lucy’s Golden Rule Under Pressure in Season 2

Purnell also teased meaningful character development in Fallout Season 2. Lucy’s defining principle—treating others how she wants to be treated—was a guiding force in Season 1. But after everything she has endured, that mindset may no longer be sustainable.

According to Purnell, Season 2 begins not long after the first season’s conclusion. Lucy and the Ghoul are traveling through the desert in search of her father, Hank, and the toll of constant danger is starting to show.

Purnell suggested that Lucy’s patience is wearing thin. While she continues trying to appeal to people’s better nature, maintaining that “golden rule” becomes increasingly difficult as new threats and betrayals emerge.

A More Hardened Lucy Ahead?

Without giving away spoilers, Purnell hinted that Lucy’s moral certainty will be tested more than ever. As the season progresses, survival may demand tougher choices—possibly even abandoning dialogue in favor of force.

The shift, if it comes, would mark a significant evolution for the character and reflect the harsh realities of the wasteland. It would also underscore one of Fallout’s central themes: how idealism erodes under prolonged exposure to violence and loss.

With Season 2 already expanding Fallout’s lore, Purnell’s comments suggest Lucy’s journey will be just as transformative as the world around her.