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Ella Purnell looked stylish and fierce at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring Summer 2018 Show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday (January 23) in Paris, France.

Ella was photographed by Maarten de Boer at the Starz Network’s Sweetbitter during the 2018 Winter TCA Tour at Langham Hotel on January 12, 2018 in Pasadena.

The star and creators of Starz’ new half-hour drama series Sweetbitter came to TCA today, where they took some uncharacteristically tough questions. The series is based on Stephanie Danler’s national best-selling novel of the same name about 22-year-old Tess who, shortly after arriving in New York City in 2006, lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant, where she’s introduced to drugs, alcohol, love, lust, dive bars, and fine dining.

TV critics, however, had #MeToo on their minds. It’s a show about “strong women,” insisted book author and series EP Stephanie Danler.

TV critics weren’t necessarily buying it, some seeming to think it played more like a Harvey Weinstein dream, and said so, in so many words.

It’s about who Tess will become, turning from an inarticulate young woman into a strong woman who does not apologize, who knows how to say ‘no’ and is self-possessed, Danler insisted.

“Sex is a part of life, as is food,” chimed in actress Ella Purnell, who plays Tess.

The first season takes place across just two weeks as Tess goes through waitress training and getting to know her co workers, Danler said.

We see her doing a lot more than “getting to know” them, snickered a TV critic.

There is a lot of kissing, acknowledged Purnell.

They’re doing a lot more than kissing, one reporter snarked, noting he’s French.

The conversation starting to resemble too closely a Groucho Marx routine, Sweetbitter EP Stu Zicherman stepped in to explain that the series is about “complete sensory awakening.” Danler, meanwhile, described the series, visually, as a “sensory assault.”

One critic wondered whether the series was out of step with our #MeToo age. Danler did not think that takes any of the fun out of the series, adding, “I don’t think sexual harassment in the workplace is fun.” The current conversation about workplace sexual harassment has not changed “the way we are telling our story,” she said, when asked.

Zicherman said he did not want everything that’s going on in our culture to “squash what’s beautiful about romance,” pulling out that statistic about 50% of relationships beginning in the workplace.

Sweetbitter Premiere is set for May 6th 2018.

Ella is featured in Marie Claire Magazine for January 2018. We have added the photographs by Kate Davis-Macleod plus the scans to the gallery…

The classic novel was due to be revived over Christmas but the BBC has cancelled it over claims against Ed Westwick. Ordeal By Innocence is a detective book written by Agatha Christie, which was first published in 1958. Regarded as one of her best later works, it was adapted by the BBC.

When does Ordeal By Innocence start on BBC One?
Ordeal By Innocence was expected to air around Christmas time however it’s been cancelled by the BBC over the Ed Westwick rape allegations. The BBC have said that Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence, which was due to be on BBC One over the Christmas period, will not be broadcast “until these matters are resolved”.

It was adapted for the small screen by Sarah Phelps, who previously worked on And Then There Were None and The Witness For Prosecution. The novel is just one of the seven new Agatha Christie adaptations due from the BBC over the next four years.

Why has the BBC cancelled Ordeal By Innocence?
Ed Westwick has been accused of sexual assault by Kristina Cohen and Aurelie Wynn. A BBC spokesperson said: “These are serious allegations which Ed Westwick has strenuously denied. “The BBC is not making any judgement but until these matters are resolved we will not include Ordeal by Innocence in the schedules.

Who is in the cast of Ordeal By Innocence?
The BBC pulled together an all-star ensemble cast for the adaption. Love Actually actor Bill Nighy, American star Catherine Keener and Downton Abbey’s Matthew Goode will be leading the cast in the three part series. It will also star Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson, Anthony Boyle (Harry Potter And The Cursed Child), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) and Luke Treadaway (A Street Cat Named Bob).

The A Word’s Morven Christie, Crystal Clarke (Assassin’s Creed, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens), Ella Purnell (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children) and Star Trek Into Darkness’ Alice Eve complete the impressive line-up.

What is the plot of Ordeal By Innocence?
Ordeal By Innocence is set Christmas 1954 and begins with the murder of wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll, a young delinquent, is arrested for her murder – something he vehemently denies. Eighteen months later, Dr Arthur Calgary, a scientist, arrives at Sunny Point claiming to have just returned from an expedition to the Arctic. He claims to hold the alibi that can prove Jack’s innocence but it’s too late because Jack died in prison before the case could come to trial, and the Argyll family is reluctant to dig up the secrets of the past. However, the implications of Calgary’s story can’t be ignored – if he is telling the truth then the wrong person was arrested for Rachel’s murder. And if Jack was not the killer, then it must have been somebody else at Sunny Point. But who?

After the fairly crazy few days that come with being romantically linked to one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Ella Purnell is back to the day job like nothing ever happened. The British actress was thrown into the spotlight last week after it was reported that she was secretly dating Brad Pitt. But, after a rep for the A-list actor has now insisted that the pair are definitely not dating, 21-year-old Ella was seen working as normal on her new series Sweetbitter on Thursday in NYC.

Following InTouch’s claims last week that Ella and Brad were an item, a source apparently close to Brad has since confirmed to The Sun: ‘Brad Pitt is absolutely not dating – or in a relationship – with Ella Purnell.’ Well that couldn’t be much clearer. The young British actress looked stylish and casual in a denim jacket as she filmed scenes for the show, which is to be produced by Plan B, Brad’s production company. Upcoming Sweetbitter sees Ella taking the lead role in the drama series adaptation of Stephanie Danler’s best-selling 2016 book, which follows 22-year-old Tess who, shortly after arriving in New York, lands a job at a celebrated restaurant and swiftly falls into a world of drugs, alcohol, lust and chaos.

We have added x photos of Ella on set, to the gallery…

British actress Ella Purnell (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children) is set for the lead role of Tess in Starz’s half-hour drama Sweetbitter, based on Stephanie Danler’s best-selling 2016 book. In addition, Emmy winning writer/director Richard Shepard (Girls) has joined as executive producer and will direct the series premiere episode.

Sweetbitter follows 22-year-old Tess (Purnell) who, shortly after arriving in New York City, lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Swiftly introduced to the world of drugs, alcohol, love, lust, dive bars, and fine dining, she learns to navigate the chaotically alluring, yet punishing life she has stumbled upon. This is the story of a young woman’s coming-of-age, set against the rich and grimy backdrop of exclusive restaurants, conjuring a nonstop and high-adrenaline world evoking the possibility, beauty, and fragility of being young and adrift.

“Ella’s portfolio of work and the array of her characters and performances in her young career are truly remarkable. We are excited for fans of the book and audiences to meet Tess,” said Starz President of Programming Carmi Zlotnik. “We are also excited by Richard’s vision to bring the book’s richly written sensory experiences from the page to the screen.”

Sweetbitter is Purnell’s first major television role. Her film work includes the role of Emma in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Other credits include Never Let Me Go, Kick-Ass 2 and Maleficent.

Danler, who wrote the pilot script, and Stu Zicherman (The Americans, The Affair) executive producer along with Plan B Entertainment and Shepard. Donna Bloom will serve as producer on the six-episode freshman season. Laura Rosenthal is leading the ongoing casting search.

We have added some photos of Ella at recent public appearances, including the premiere of Access All Areas to the gallery…

This week marked the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death and if proof were needed of the author’s enduring legacy and influence, a new audio adaptation of her gothic satire Northanger Abbey has been released. The cast is impressive, starring Emma Thompson, Lily Cole, Douglas Booth, Eleanor Tomlinson and Ella Purnell.

We talked to rising star Purnell as she takes on the lead role of Catherine Morland, a tomboy who lives her life as if it were a gothic novel. The 20-year-old starred in her first television advert when she was nine and has gone onto appear in Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home For Children, as well as Never Let Me Go and Kick-Ass 2. All in all, her career’s off to a strong start, but there’s nothing like landing a Jane Austen heroine to take things to the next level.

How much did you know about Jane Austen before you signed to this project?

“I knew very little about Jane Austen. I think if I was doing a film, I would have wanted to look into the period, the woman herself – you know, all the research that has to go into those movies and TV series. I think because this was audio I managed to get the research done much quicker. I studied Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility whilst I was at school, but not in any great detail so I had to do a bit of work before stepping into the studio.”

In what ways do you identify with Catherine?

“I can definitely relate to Catherine, she’s my kind of girl. One of the characters is very gossipy – a socialite – and Catherine’s the complete opposite. She’s a girl-next-door type, she was tomboyish in her younger days and she can be quite naïve when it comes to social etiquette. She’s got a huge imagination and she loves reading books. She says what she sees and she doesn’t put on any airs or graces and I think that’s a really admirable way to be.”

What are the challenges in creating an audible-only production?

“It’s completely different – I’ve never done any voice work, but that’s what I loved about it. I aspire to do different things every single day, and luckily this job isn’t a regular 9 to 5. This year has been full of firsts for me – I did my first play in January, I recently finished this audio drama and now I’m working on my first TV series. I thought we’d do the audio drama chronologically, but we didn’t, we did it by scene numbers, which makes sense when you think about it. I had a vision of everyone sat in a dark room with headphones on, but it’s not like that at all; you have to put more energy into it because you’re animating the voice. It’s the only situation where you’re allowed to overact! You can have a bit of fun – nobody is going to see what you do! Douglas was almost dancing on the spot, his character is so over-exaggerated, splendid and grand.”

Are there any other existing roles or literary characters that you’d like to play?

“Obviously Harry Potter. There’s also a really good book called Vermin – it’s about a rat that eats loads of books and becomes really clever – if I could voice the rat that would be brilliant.”

Which women inspire you in terms of your career?

“Lots! Helena Bonham-Carter, Natalie Portman – actresses who aren’t afraid to step out the box. Actresses who say I’m not going to play a pretty role, I’m going to play a real, gritty role. That’s something I want to do, cover all sorts of genres to find the one I love most.”

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?

“A Spanish director once told me that your career is like a river – I can’t quite remember the quote exactly – but he talked about it rising and falling, ebbing and flowing. I was 14 at the time and that really made an impression. I thought about getting a tattoo of it – I didn’t, don’t worry! But I think that message is important. If you panic and try to swim against the current, you’ll tire out and drown.”

You have played the child version of many film characters – did your older counterparts offer their wisdom at all?

“I was 12 working on a film with Keira Knightley, the interviewer asked this exact question and she turned to me and said, ‘Don’t do it!'”

How important is fashion to you and why?

“It never used to be important – like my character – I used to be quite tomboyish and not really care. I think I probably dressed better then because I wore what I wanted. Then I went through my emo/goth phase, and then after I got through my teenage years I started to get more interested in designers and big fashion houses. Rather than the high street, I started going to vintage shops, thinking more about the shape and materials. I like learning new things, and going to shows, it’s completely changed my mind about it. I used to think fashion was silly, and now I think it can be one of the purest expressions of art.”

Do you like taking risks on the red carpet?

“Absolutely! I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great stylists and so I’ve always been able to go for stuff that’s a little bit weird, a little bit crazy, a little bit me. Not everyone’s going to like it and that’s fine.”

You’re known for using your profile to campaign – outside of work, what issues are worrying you at the moment?

“I’m working with a fantastic charity called Action Aid, and I just did a short film for Help Refugees – it’s based on the true story of a boy who saved the lives of 15 people. Both of those projects are really important to me. I launched a charity last year called Educate To Eradicate which tackles FGM. We’ve raised our money so now we’re putting that work into practice.”

Do you have any secret talents other than acting?

“I can do a really good animal impression! I’m great at ducks, cats, dogs and occasionally dolphins.”

Northanger Abbey is available to download at Audible.co.uk

We have added x2 new promotional stills of Ella in Churchill and Access All Areas to the gallery…