Ella Purnell, the voice of Jinx inArcane, didn’t know that season 2 would be the show’s last until her final recording session. The hit Netflix animated series became a hit following its 2021 debut. Set in Riot Games’League of Legendsuniverse,the showexplores the origins of beloved champions like Jinx and Viwhile depicting the escalating conflict between the cities of Piltover and Zaun. Though there was hope for more seasons, creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee had always planned forArcaneto conclude with season 2, wrapping up Jinx and her older sister Vi’s tumultuous journey.
WithScreenRantin attendance at MegaCon,Purnell revealed she didn’t realizeArcaneseason 2 would be its final installment until late in the production process. TheYellowjacketsalum, who brought Jinx’s chaotic and strong-willed energy to life, explained that she only found out about the show’s ending shortly before her last voice recording session. Check out Purnell’s comments below:
Well, I wouldn’t know if it was going to be over.No one told me.This is true.Until I read the script, which was like a few days before my last recording session. And I read the script and I was like, what? We’re doing another season, right? And I texted my agent and he was like,' oh, no, no, let me check in on that.' And then he goes, ‘OK, so actually, it’s done. I didn’t know that.’
But I guess my life, my life didn’t really change. You know, we recorded this over so many years and it’s different with voiceover, right, becauseyou’re going in once a month, pretty much for a four-hour session. Soyou kind of forget what happens in betweenand you need like a little more pressure. So, it’s definitely, I’m excited to get back in the booth and obviously really worried. I forgot how to do everything, but that thing never comes away. You’re always worried that you forgot how to act. But then, yeah, you kind of get back for it.
What Ella Purnell’s Arcane Experience Means
The Unpredictability Of Arcane’s Production
Purnell’s surprise atArcane’s conclusion gives some behind-the-scenes insight into the unpredictable nature of animated productions. Sincevoiceover work for animationis often recorded over several years in sporadic sessions,actors don’t always have a complete picture of a project’s trajectory until late in the process. Some actors may record an entire performance for an animated production before being replaced or scrapped entirely. Nonetheless, the decision to keep the series’ ending under wraps, even from one ofArcane’smain characters, likely helped preserve the impact of its final season and prevent potential leaks.
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Despite delivering an award-winning performance as JinxinArcane’s cast of characters, Purnell had no prior experience of voice acting before landing the role. Known for her work in films such as Tim Burton’sMiss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, animation was a new environment. Following her success inArcane,Purnell has since expanded her voice-acting career with roles in other animated projects. She became a series regular inStar Trek: Prodigy, voicing the character Gwyn across two seasons and reprising the role in the video gameStar Trek Prodigy: Supernova. Additionally, she briefly appeared inInvincibleseason 2.
Our Take On Purnell’s Arcane Revelation
A Fittingly Chaotic Ending For Jinx’s Story
Given howArcanemeticulously crafted its narrative, it’s surprising that Purnell was unaware of the show’s conclusion until the last minute. However, in a way,it’s fitting—Jinx herself thrives in chaos, and learning about the end of her journey so suddenly mirrors the unpredictability of the character she brought to life. While it’s bittersweet thatArcanehas ended, its impact on animation and video game adaptations is undeniable with several follow-up series already in development. This may not be the end of Purnell’s voice-acting journey—perhaps a return to theLeague of Legendsuniverse is still on the horizon.
Purnell’s journey in this series might be done, but if the hints during the final episode are anything to go by, she could realistically come back to the role in a new capacity later on.
Theend ofArcaneseason 2may have been the final stretch for this Runeterra story, but its final moment signaled that Jinx may have survived despite her potential sacrifice in the series finale. This means she could appear in future projects,with Linke having confirmed the regions of Noxus, Ionia, Demacia, and Bilgewaterwill be the primary focuses of upcoming shows or movies. Purnell’s journey in this series might be done, but if the hints during the final episode are anything to go by, she could realistically come back to the role in a new capacity later on.
What Happens To Jinx In Arcane Season 2: Her Fate & Its Meaning Explained
Arcane season 2’s ending brings a lot of the show’s storylines to a head, including the fate of Jinx: what happens to her, and what does this mean?
However, nothing has been confirmed, either, meaningJinx’s story may have ended with her implied to have escaped Piltover, breaking the cycle of pain she’d been participating in. AlthoughArcaneseason 3 isn’t happening, the ending still offers a fitting conclusion for her character, bolstered by the memorable, final moments of the show. Purnell has also been busy with other projects, filmingFalloutseason 2and recording voice lines for another animated series,Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, making it unclear when Jinx could return, if she ever does.
Should Jinx Return In Future League Of Legends Projects?
Runeterra’s Connected Stories Mean She Could Appear Again
It’s possible that Jinx will make a return infutureLeague of Legendsprojects, as the ending heavily implies she managed to escape death despite falling in Warwick’s grasp. The zeppelin in the final shot echoes her dream of flying across Runeterra from season 1, meaning her being alive could get more concrete confirmation in a future show. This meansshe could show up in places like Noxus or Demacia, with Purnell reprising her role, her story as the Champion not yet over. However, it likely wouldn’t be in a main character capacity again.
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However, the fitting nature of how Purnell discoveredArcanewas ending means it would feel more justified for Jinx’s fate to be left ambiguous, without her coming back and confirming the meaning behind the show’s ending.It would dampen the interpretive nature of the finale, nullifying the symbolic importance of Jinx’s final moments. Though her journey could still continue in another show, the way in which she learned the series was ending also makes it a symbolically conclusive way of finishing her character’s storyline.
As of writing, there has been no confirmation of whenArcane’s first follow-up project will arrive.
