Ella Purnell doesn’t needArcaneto prove she can carry an animated story; her repertoire already spans 40 episodes ofStar Trek: Prodigy. Voicing Gwyn from the pilot through the series finale, her performance helped launch a new corner of the franchise.
Of course,Arcaneis recognized as one ofElla Purnell’s best TV shows ever. She voices Jinx after the time jump, giving the character a sharper edge without losing the emotional residue of who Powder used to be. Her delivery stays calculated, even when Jinx unravels. That balance, of fury and chaos, makes the character feel dangerous and deeply human.
But Purnell deftly handles theStar Trekuniverse with poise. And don’t be fooled by the Nickelodeon stamp on this one — this is a Starfleet adventure and aStar Trek: Voyagersequelyou don’t want to skip.
Ella Purnell’s Arcane Is Perfect, But She Was In Another Great Animated Show
Before Arcane Broke Big, Prodigy Gave Her Something Even Trickier To Play
What makes Purnell’s performance stand out is how it plays off the rest of theArcanecast. Hailee Steinfeld brings steadiness and control to Vi, while Purnell leans into unpredictability. Her delivery moves in sharper bursts, likeshe’s always two steps away from splintering. That tension makes their dynamic feel totally charged.
What makesProdigytrickier is how much of the show rides on Gwyn’s restraint. Across two seasons, Purnell has to showgrowth without big emotional swings. The arc stretches from skepticism to leadership, and she builds it gradually. It’s a slower burn than Jinx, with fewer outbursts to lean on. The challenge is consistency, and she holds it the entire way.
InProdigyepisode 5, “Terror Firma,” Gwyn contemplates a major choice while taking command of the Bridge. Purnell underplays the pain and focuses on defiance. There’s a line, “You made your choice. Now I’ve made mine,” that lands with total confidence. It’s not a big moment, but it shifts how you see her. You start tracking Gwyn as a hero.
Star Trek: Prodigy Isn’t Flawless, But It’s Close To Being 10/10
It’s A Star Trek Show That Trusts Its Audience, And Its Cast
Prodigywalks a tough line. It introduces a new crew, ties intoStar Trekcanon, andspeaks to younger viewers without ever sounding condescending. That balance is what makes it work. The show never simplifies its themes. It lets growth happen slowly, through trust, failure, and small decisions that stick.
Star Trek: Prodigyseason 1 was removed from Paramount+ and Netflix services. While season 2 is available to stream on Netflix, season 1 can be purchased from PVOD like Apple and Amazon Prime Video. It is also available on Blu-ray.
Visually, it’s sharp. The design leans cinematic, not cartoonish. The action builds tension instead of noise. And the emotional arcs land because they don’t get overwritten. Thewriting treats the characters like people, not types. That’s rare — even outside kids’ animation.
Purnell fits into that rhythm seamlessly. Her performance supports the show’s style: steady, smart, and never forced.WhenProdigyhits, it feels like more than a solidStar Trekspinoff —it feels like a show with something to say, and enough confidence not to say it all at once, as proven by thebestStar Trek: Prodigyepisodes.
How Ella Purnell’s Voice Performance In Star Trek: Prodigy Compares To Arcane
Same Actor. Two Characters. Totally Different Tempo
Purnell plays two characters with completely different emotional engines. Jinx,Purnell’s first voice role ever, is volatile—fast-talking, unpredictable, always pushing the tempo. Gwyn moves more slowly. She thinks before she speaks, andyou can hear that control in every line. InProdigy, the performance builds episode to episode. InArcane, it arrives fully formed — coiled, cutting, and clearly carrying years of damage.
That contrast makes her range hard to miss. In one role, she’s managing the evolution of a leader. In the other, she’s channeling chaos through calculation. Both demand restraint. Both hold tension without tipping over. If you’ve only seen her inArcane,Star Trek:Prodigyshows how much further Purnell can stretch with a much more emotionally restrained character.
