Sweetpea: Starz gets a black comedy thriller series with Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets) in the lead role – canceled + renewed TV shows, ratings

(Starz)

Sweet pea is coming to Starz. Inspired by CJ Skuse’s cult novel, the dark thriller will star Ella Purnell and will hit the cable network later this year.

The cast also includes Nicôle Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch and Leah Harvey, as well as Jeremy Swift and Dustin Demri-Burns. The series is about “a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating penchant for murder.”

Starz revealed further information about the series in a press release.

STARZ has acquired U.S. and Canada rights to the deviously twisted coming-of-rage story “Sweetpea,” starring Ella Purnell (“Yellowjackets,” “Fallout,” “Sweetbitter”), who will also serve as an executive producer. Purnell plays Rhiannon, a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating penchant for murder. “Sweetpea” is produced by See-Saw Films and Fanboy in association with Sky Studios. The six-episode series was acquired directly from Sky Studios and is set to debut as a STARZ original in the U.S. and Canada in 2024.

“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 gritty tale of revenge is sure to thrill viewers, as is Ella’s portrayal of a woman finding her voice and asserting her agency in devious and shocking ways.”

Rhiannon Lewis 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 a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer a secret?

The ensemble cast includes Nicôle Lecky (“Mood,” “Sense8”) as Julia, Jon Pointing (“Big Boys,” “Smothered”) as Craig, Calam Lynch (“Bridgerton”) as AJ and Leah Harvey (“Foundation”) as Marina. Also starring: Jeremy Swift (“Ted Lasso”) as Norman and Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Jeff.

The series is adapted from the cult novel of the same name by CJ Skuse. Writer and executive producer Kirstie Swain (Pure) co-wrote with Krissie Ducker (Killing Eve), Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim (Sex Education, Hanna). The series is directed by award-winning director Ella Jones (The Baby, Back To Life), who also serves as executive producer. Sweetpea is produced by See-Saw Films and Fanboy in association with Sky Studios. The series was originally commissioned by Sky Studios for Sky across Europe. Commissioning editor Manpreet Dosanjh is an executive producer for Sky Studios. Fanboy is executive produced by Patrick Walters (Heartstopper) and See-Saw Films’ executive producers are Helen Gregory, Iain Canning and Emile Sherman. Ella Purnell also serves as executive producer. Zorana Piggott (Heartstopper) is the series’ producer.”

The premiere date for Sweet pea will be announced later.

What do you think? Do you plan to watch the show when it comes out on Starz?