“Sweetpea” series starring Ella Purnell to air on Starz

Sky Atlantic

Starz has dark British series on board Sweet peawith Yellow Jackets And Stand out with Ella Purnell as the star.

The series, which comes from Kirstie Swain, was originally ordered by British pay broadcaster Sky Atlantic in 2020, Deadline revealed. Starz has acquired the US and Canadian rights to the six-part series and will air it later this year.

The series follows Rhiannon Lewis, played by Purnell, who doesn’t make much of an impression – people walk past her on the street without giving her a second glance. She’s constantly passed over for promotions at work, the guy she likes won’t get involved with her, and her dad is really, really sick. Then her whole life is turned upside down. Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone and in her place is a young woman capable of anything… Rhiannon’s life changes when she gains new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer a secret?

The series is produced by See-Saw Films and Patrick Walters’ Fanboy in association with Sky Studios.

Other leading roles are played by Nicôle Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch and Leah Harvey as well as Jeremy Swift and Dustin Demri-Burns.

The series is based on the 2017 novel by CJ Skuse.

The adaptation is by Swain, along with Krissie Ducker, Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim. Starring: Purnell, Swain, Ella Jones, who also directs, Manpreet Dosanjh, Patrick Walters and Emile Sherman. Zorana Piggott is a producer on the series.

“We are delighted to be working with Ella Purnell and Sky Studios again on such a fresh, groundbreaking story,” said Alison Hoffman, President of Domestic Networks at Starz. “This dark, comedic revenge story is sure to delight viewers, as is Ella’s portrayal of a woman finding her voice and asserting her agency in devious and shocking ways.”