Ella Purnell on Lucy’s Grit and Growth in Fallout Series

Ella Purnell has found a new ease in portraying Lucy for the second series of Fallout. The character, she says, has become far more accessible.

“It sort of felt like a more neutral starting point for me,”

Purnell shares.

“Season 1, I had to sort of really tap into an innocence, and a childishness, and a vulnerability that comes from inexperience, and being literally sheltered. She’s a newborn baby or an alien that’s just landed on Earth, and she’s never experienced anything. And there’s some big reaches to be had for that. It’s much harder to relate to that.”

From Vault Dweller to Wasteland Veteran

In the first series, Lucy is introduced as a wide-eyed optimist, never having set foot outside her underground home. Her world is upended when her new spouse is revealed to be a surface raider. Forced to defend herself in her wedding dress, she summons the courage to leave the only life she’s known, determined to rescue her father, Hank. The reality of the Wasteland is a harsh awakening—post-apocalyptic America is anything but forgiving, and Lucy is quickly confronted by its brutality.

By the time the second series begins, Lucy has adapted. She’s no longer the naive newcomer; she’s learned to navigate the dangers around her and has little tolerance for those who cross her. Purnell notes,

“This time around, I was going into, yes, she’s still optimistic, believes in the golden rule, believes in people’s inherent goodness, but she has been battered and bruised by this world and still chooses to believe in good. That feels much more similar to the human experience: just like being an adult who has to wake up every day and survive. So that was somewhat slightly easier.”

Facing New Threats and Old Wounds

In this new chapter, Lucy willingly joins forces with the Ghoul, setting out to track down her father and hold him accountable. Rather than being paralysed by the revelation of Hank’s true nature, she presses on, journeying towards New Vegas and the perils it holds. Audiences can expect encounters with deathclaws, legions, and even a questionable bowl of flea soup, not to mention a few historical misunderstandings. From the outset, it’s clear that Lucy has been transformed by her experiences in the Wasteland—she’s tougher, more capable, and, frankly, rather formidable.

Purnell reflects on the added complexity this brings:

“But with that, because it’s more, I suppose, relatable, it then becomes more complex, because there’s all of these emotions underneath. There’s so much to unpack underneath and so many choices that you have to make every single day. The choice to continue to believe in goodness when you’ve been shown again and again how evil people can be, that’s real strength. And that doesn’t come from nothing, you know? That has to be really sought and found.”

Strength in the Face of Adversity

The second series of Fallout arrives on Prime Video on 17 December. Lucy’s evolution from innocence to resilience is at the heart of the story, offering a character who, despite everything, refuses to let go of her faith in decency. Her journey is a testament to the strength required to hold onto hope, even when the world seems determined to snuff it out.