"Poop Finger” Dilemma: The Struggles of Playing Digit-Deprived Characters

Ella Purnell, the talented actress known for her roles in Fallout and Arcane, has opened up about the unexpected challenges of playing characters who lose fingers—and it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. During a recent appearance at IGN FanExpo, Purnell humorously revealed the behind-the-scenes struggles of having her finger painted to look like it’s missing, dubbing it her “poop finger.”

The “Poop Finger” Chronicles

In the first season of Amazon’s *Fallout* series, Purnell’s character, Lucy, loses a finger—a pivotal moment in the show. But for Purnell, the real drama happened off-screen. Every day on set, the makeup team had to paint her finger to make it appear missing or injured, a process she described as both tedious and inconvenient.

“This finger is the bane of my life,” Purnell joked at the event. “They paint it, right? This is the finger, I don’t know if you guys know this, that you use the most, for everything, all the time. Then you have to take it off, put it back on, it’s very annoying.”

The term “poop finger” was coined by one of the *Fallout* makeup designers, and Purnell has embraced it with a mix of humor and exasperation. “I just have this poop finger all the time,” she said, recounting how the painted finger caused awkward encounters in her daily life. “I go to Whole Foods and I’m picking up the vegetables, and people are looking at me like, ‘Stop touching the vegetables with your poop finger.’ It’s just terrible.”

A Strange Typecast Fear

Purnell’s finger-related woes don’t end with Fallout. In Arcane, her character Jinx also loses a finger, albeit in animated form. While it’s not a common trend, Purnell joked about the possibility of being typecast as a “finger loser” in future roles.

“That would be one of the worst things to happen to me,” she said with a laugh. “Purely because, do you have any idea how annoying it is to have that finger painted on me every single day?”

Her lighthearted take on the situation highlights the often-overlooked challenges actors face when portraying characters with physical alterations. While losing a finger might seem like a minor detail, the practicalities of creating that effect can be surprisingly cumbersome.

The Real Struggles of Fake Injuries

Purnell’s “poop finger” anecdote sheds light on the less glamorous side of acting. For every dramatic moment on screen, there’s often a tedious or uncomfortable process behind the scenes. In Purnell’s case, the constant application and removal of makeup not only disrupted her daily routine but also led to some awkward public moments.

Her story also underscores the creativity and dedication of makeup artists, who work tirelessly to bring characters to life. While Purnell might joke about her “poop finger,” it’s a testament to the artistry involved in creating believable on-screen injuries.

What’s Next for Ella Purnell?

Despite her finger-related grievances, Purnell continues to impress audiences with her versatile performances. From Fallout to Arcane, she has proven her ability to bring depth and authenticity to a wide range of characters.

As for her future roles, Purnell hopes to avoid any more finger-loss storylines—or at least the accompanying makeup process. “I just want to keep all my fingers intact,” she quipped.

Final Thoughts

Ella Purnell’s “poop finger” saga is a hilarious reminder of the unexpected challenges actors face in their craft. While her characters might lose fingers, Purnell herself is clearly keeping a firm grip on her sense of humor.

Whether she’s navigating the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout or the animated streets of Arcane, Purnell’s talent and charisma continue to shine—poop finger and all. Here’s hoping her future roles keep all ten fingers intact, sparing her from any more awkward grocery store encounters.

What do you think about Ella Purnell’s “poop finger” struggles? Would you cast her in a role that requires losing a digit? Let us know!