‘Sweetpea’ Trailer: Ella Purnell Snaps and Becomes a Serial Killer in Coming-of-Rage Comedy Series

Samantha Bergeson
·2 min read

Ella Purnell is serving up murder with a smile.

The “Yellowjackets” and “Fallout” actress leads Starz series “Sweetpea,” which is billed as a “deviously twisted coming-of-rage story.” The “Army of the Dead” alum Purnell returns to Starz after starring in another “sweet” series: The actress previously led the adaptation of Stephanie Danler’s novel “Sweetbitter” at the network back in 2018. Now, Purnell is both the lead star and executive producer of “Sweetpea,” another novel adaptation based on C.J. Skuse’s book.

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The official synopsis reads: “Rhiannon Lewis (Purnell) doesn’t make much of an impression — people walk past her in the street without a second glance. She’s continually overlooked for a promotion at work, the guy she likes won’t commit, and her dad is really, really sick. Then everything in her life turns upside down. Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone, and in its place is a young woman capable of anything…Rhiannon’s life transforms as she steps into a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer secret?”

Nic?le Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch, Leah Harvey, Jeremy Swift, and Dustin Demri-Burns also star.

“Sweetpea” is a six-part series that charts Rhiannon’s “vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder.” The series is described at its core as being “about a woman finally finding her voice, told through a uniquely dark and comedic lens.”

The show is produced by See-Saw Films and Fanboy in association with Sky Studios. Executive producer Kirstie Swain adapted the novel for the screen, with the series being written by Kirstie Swain, Krissie Ducker, Laura Jayne Tunbridge, and Selina Lim. Ella Jones directs and executive produces.

Commissioning editor, Manpreet Dosanjh, is executive producer for Sky Studios. Executive producer for Fanboy is Patrick Walters, and executive producers for See- Saw Films are Helen Gregory, Iain Canning, and Emile Sherman. Lead star Purnell also serves as executive producer. Zorana Piggott is the series producer.

“Sweetpea” premieres October 10 at midnight on the Starz app. The series will debut on the Starz channel at 8 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. on October 11. The following week, “Sweetpea” will move to Fridays for the remainder of the season. Check out the trailer below.

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