Netflix would be wise to not only renew Star Trek: Prodigy, but also benefit from the rising star power of Ella Purnell. Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 is the only current Star Trek series that boasts a perfect 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a stellar 96% audience score. Despite widespread critical and fan acclaim, and charting in Netflix's top 10 in several countries, however, Star Trek: Prodigy didn't reach the same heights in the United States, and the streamer has yet to green light Star Trek: Prodigy season 3.
Star Trek: Prodigy cast Ella Purnell as Gwyndala just as the British actress was starting to make inroads. Purnell had lead roles in Ordeal By Innocence, Sweetbitter on STARZ, and Belgravia, but she began to gain fame from playing Dave Bautista's daughter in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and as Jackie Taylor in Showtime's hit series Yellowjackets. Star Trek: Prodigy season 1's run from 2021-2022 and season 2 in 2024 coincide with Ella Purnell's arrival as a major star thanks to her lead roles in Fallout, Sweetpea, and Netflix's Arcane.
Star Trek: Prodigy Smartly Set Up Ella Purnell As A Major Season 3 Focus
Prodigy Wisely Set Up Gwyndala As Captain
As Gwyndala, Ella Purnell not only portrays one of Star Trek: Prodigy's series leads, but the ending of Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 elevated Gwyn to Captain of the USS Prodigy. Gwyndala is the daughter of the Diviner (John Noble), and the young heroine spent both seasons of Star Trek: Prodigy fighting evil Vau N'Akat like Asencia (Jameela Jamil) and her mechanical minion, Dreadnok (Jimmi Simpson). All the while, Gwyn and her friends proved they have what it takes to be Starfleet Officers by saving the galaxy as the crew of the USS Protostar.
Star Trek: Prodigy season 3 has been smartly set up with the premise of Captain Gwyndala and the crew of the USS Prodigy bringing the optimistic values of Starfleet to the darkest fringes of the United Federation of Planets. Placing Gwyn in a central leadership role as Captain was brilliant foresight on the part of Star Trek: Prodigy's producers to benefit from Ella Purnell as the cast's most high-profile actor with mainstream audiences. Purnell also enjoys the Star Trek universe and playing Gwyn, and this evident by her stirring vocal performance in Star Trek: Prodigy.
Ella Purnell's Stardom Will Likely Rise Even Further By The Time Prodigy Season 3 Happens
Netflix's optimum move would be to green-light Star Trek: Prodigy season 3 (or some sort of continuation) and place Ella Purnell at the forefront of the show's marketing, just as the animated series should continue to make Gwyndala central to the USS Prodigy's adventures. Star Trek: Prodigy boasts Kate Mulgrew as Admiral Kathryn Janeway, as well as other Star Trek: Voyager icons like Robert Beltran as Captain Chakotay and Robert Picardo as The Doctor. While they are all beloved by Star Trek fans, Ella Purnell's name value transcends Star Trek.
More Star Trek: Prodigy with a focus on Ella Purnell is a win-win for Netflix, Star Trek, and audiences.
Ella Purnell has drawn raves for her lead performances in Fallout, Sweetpea, and she voices Jinx in Netflix's hit animated series, Arcane. Since it will take about two years to produce more Star Trek: Prodigy, Ella Purnell could become an even bigger star - and Star Trek already has her. Netflix showcasing Ella Purnell as a selling point of Star Trek: Prodigy would help boost the beloved CGI animated series' profile. More Star Trek: Prodigy with a focus on Ella Purnell is a win-win for Netflix, Star Trek, and audiences.
