Joseph Purcell: The Big Dreamer Finding His Place on Screen

Joseph Purcell's path to acting began with a single movie scene that changed the course of his life. Today, the Australian-American actor is building a name for himself in vertical dramas while continuing to chase the kind of powerful stories that first inspired him.

Joseph Purcell didn't always imagine himself in front of the camera. A shy athlete growing up in Australia, he once dreamed of a career in professional sports before one unforgettable movie scene changed everything.

Today, the Australian-American actor has become one of vertical drama's rising stars, building a career one role at a time while keeping his sights set on the stories that first inspired him.

When Sports Was the Dream

Although acting runs in his family, Purcell never expected to follow that path.

The son of "Prison Break" star Dominic Purcell, he grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry but was far more interested in sports than performing. Basketball, soccer, and cricket filled his childhood, and becoming a professional athlete seemed like the more likely future.

He also described himself as a shy child, making acting the last thing he imagined pursuing.

Everything changed after a night with friends watching "The Dark Knight."

Purcell recalled being captivated by Heath Ledger's performance during the film's interrogation scene. After reenacting the scene himself, he realized acting was what he truly wanted to do. Three months later, he left community college to pursue that dream.

Looking back, he believes his father's career gave him the confidence to believe acting might also be possible for him.

"I was like, OK, well, he did it," Purcell told Hollywood Reporter in May. "There must be something about his wiring that I also share."

He later trained in the Meisner technique at Playhouse West in North Hollywood, where he developed the acting foundation that would eventually lead him into professional work.

Finding an Unexpected Opportunity

Like many actors entering the business, Purcell was searching for steady work when a friend introduced him to the growing world of vertical dramas.

Seeing fellow actor Evan Adams book projects, travel for shoots, and make a living as an actor encouraged him to give the format a chance.

"I was like, he’s getting flown to Texas. He's making money as an actor. Fans are responding to his work. Who am I to snub my nose at anything at this point? I haven't done anything," Purcell recalled.

He submitted himself for a supporting role in "His Nerd" through Actors Access. Instead, producers invited him to audition for the lead role—and he got the part.

That opportunity quickly opened the door to a string of leading roles. Since then, Purcell has appeared in productions including "His Nerd," "Private Lessons," "The Glow-Up Game," "Rooming With the Devil," "Falling for My Bodyguard," "Club of Desire," "Summer Comes First," and "Enemies," becoming one of the familiar faces of the growing vertical drama industry.

Learning Through Vertical Dramas

While vertical dramas move at a remarkable pace, Purcell sees that as one of their greatest strengths.

Productions often allow only about a week of preparation before filming begins, followed by intense shoot schedules that can stretch across 12- to 14-hour days.

Rather than spending weeks building elaborate character histories, Purcell focuses on mastering the script, becoming comfortable with the dialogue, and remaining present with his scene partners.

"For me at least, it's learning the lines, learning the script and just getting familiar with it and then letting yourself relax and listen to your acting partner and see where it takes you," he explained.

He also believes vertical dramas have become an important training ground for emerging actors.

With fewer traditional opportunities available, Purcell sees the format as a place where performers can sharpen their craft, gain exposure, and continue working while building their careers.

"So many actors are super talented that aren't able to get traditional work, but they're young, they're hungry, and these verticals are giving them the platform to exercise their muscles," he said.

One unexpected benefit has been the visibility the format provides. After clips from his first vertical drama circulated on TikTok, director Sarah Shephard cast him in the Tubi horror film "Glamping," demonstrating how short-form productions can create opportunities beyond the vertical space.

Chasing Stories That Leave a Mark

Although Purcell appreciates everything vertical dramas have given him, he hopes to continue exploring new kinds of characters.

He is especially drawn to emotionally driven films that leave a lasting impact on audiences. Among the works that inspire him are "Beautiful Boy," "Aftersun," "Manchester by the Sea," and "My Own Private Idaho," as well as larger-scale classics like "Fight Club" and "Gladiator."

Those choices reflect the kinds of performances he hopes to pursue—stories that are "raw and real and gritty and kind of dark," as he described them.

His growing success has already begun generating auditions for more traditional film and television projects, something he says he never expected when he first entered the vertical drama world. Even so, he remains grateful for every opportunity that comes his way.

Joseph Purcell at the world premiere of "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" at El Capitan Theatre on March 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

The Person Behind the Performances

Away from the camera, Purcell finds joy in life's quieter moments.

His idea of a perfect day starts with a European-style coffee shop, followed by a swim, reading a good book during a thunderstorm, catching a movie, and ending the day surrounded by close friends over wine or champagne.

Despite becoming one of the recognizable faces in vertical dramas, Purcell says he doesn't view himself as famous. Having watched the careers of his father and stepmother, Tish Cyrus’s daughter, Miley Cyrus, from close range, he believes true celebrity exists on an entirely different scale. Instead, his focus remains on becoming the best actor he can be.

Joseph Purcell with, from L-R, Lily -Rose Purcell, Tish Cyrus, Dominic Purcell, and Brandi Cyrus at the world premiere of the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on March 23., 2026 | Source: Getty Images

When asked what defines him most, Purcell didn't mention fame, success, or even acting. Instead, he chose a single phrase:

He explained that while many of his childhood ambitions never came to fruition, acting has given him the deepest sense of fulfillment.

As his career continues to grow across vertical dramas and beyond, that willingness to dream big remains the quality guiding every role he takes on.