After experiencing great success inFallout, Ella Purnell’s next leading role is in the STARZ showSweetpea, which premieres on October 10. Purnell has previously appeared on STARZ with 2017’sSweetbitter, but her popularity in the industry soared after she starred in Showtime’sYellowjacketsas the charismatic Jackie, a high soccer captain stranded in the wilderness with her classmates after a plane crash. InSweetpea, created by Kirstie Swain and based on CJ Skuse’s 2017 book of the same name, Purnell plays a deeply troubled young woman named Rhiannon.
The 10-episode seriesSweetpeafollows Rhiannon’s depression and anxiety in the wake of her father’s death. Piling onto her grief are various stressors, such as her sister preparing to sell their family home to Rhiannon’s childhood bully Julia (played by Nicôle Lecky,Sense8) and her boss ignoring her potential at work in favor of a nepotism hire. She reaches a breaking point that results in a crime of passion, after which she develops a taste for murder - and lands in the crosshairs of a junior detective named Marina (Leah Harvey,Foundation).
Sweetpea Trailer: Fallout’s Ella Purnell Becomes Serial Killer & Release Date Revealed In Thriller Series
The first trailer has been released for Starz’s Sweetpea, an upcoming thriller miniseries starring Fallout’s Ella Purnell in the leading role.
Screen Rantinterviewed Purnell about her role inSweetpea, how she viewed the various complicated character relationships in the new STARZ show, and what sheexpects will happen inFalloutseason 2.
Ella Purnell Breaks Down The Adversarial Dynamics In Sweetpea
“This invisibility is sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy that she’s carried into her adult life.”
Screen Rant: I’m loving the different dynamics inSweetpea, but of course, it all begins with Rhiannon vs. Julia. Why does Julia have such a hold on her so many years after the bullying?
Ella Purnell: That’s a great question. It’s definitely the core of Rhiannon and not something I’ve talked about very much today, actually. I’m really glad you picked up on it. I think she’s, as often happens when you experience a traumatic event in childhood, stuck in the past. She can’t understand why it happened to her. She can’t process it, she can’t accept it, and that really feeds into everything in Rihannon’s life.
When we meet Rihanna in episode 1, she’s invisible. No one sees her. She’s considered a wallflower, and that’s what she’s labeled as, and she resents that. But also I think that it’s something that is slightly self-inflicted. I think when she was a child, she learned how to hide herself away to avoid her school bully. And so this invisibility is sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy that she’s carried into her adult life.
Screen Rant: There’s also Marina, the junior detective played by Leah Harvey. They have a moment of understanding early on, but you’ve still got to cover up some murder. Can you talk about your cat-and-mouse game with the cop?
Ella Purnell: Yes, I also love Leah. They are such a phenomenal actor, and it is a joy to work with them. Some of my favorite scenes were Rihanna versus Marina, and that cat-and-mouse thing is so exciting. Obviously, it works as a fantastic storytelling device to amp up the stakes and that invisibility.
I was just talking about how Rhiannon loves when she starts to murder and feel this power. She loves being visible, but then she’s too visible. Marina’s on her, and like you say, Marina sees her. What are the chances that somebody who relates to Rhiannon so much, who really is inside Rhiannon’s head, is assigned to her case? I think Rhiannon sees that, and she realizes this is a real threat. This person sees her in a way that no one else does.
“It really could go a million different ways, and I’m really excited to see which one they pick.”
Screen Rant: The final episode left me needing season 2 immediately. Are you hoping for season 2, and how far do you expect to take the story?
Ella Purnell: Oh, my gosh. Let’s get season 1 out first and see what people think. I would love to. I adore this character and this team, and this truly has just been the most fulfilling, incredible, and challenging part of my career. I would be so honored to get to do it again, but that is way down the line.
Screen Rant: You’ve been killing it in the TV department lately, between this,Yellowjackets, andFallout. What are you most excited for fans tosee inFalloutseason 2?
Ella Purnell: I don’t know what they’re going to see. I haven’t got a script yet, so I don’t know when we’re filming. I am useless because I know nothing. [Laughs]
They left her in such a vulnerable state. I don’t know what’s going to happen. She could turn into a serial killer, and it would make sense. But she could also just pull her boots up and okie dokie her way out of that situation, and that would also make sense. It really could go a million different ways, and I’m really excited to see which one they pick.
More About Sweetpea Season 1
Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression – people walk past her in the street without a second glance. That is until she is pushed over the edge and loses control. Rhiannon’s life transforms, but can she keep her killer secret?
Sweetpea
Cast
Sweetpea (2024) follows Rhiannon Lewis, an unremarkable woman who goes unnoticed by those around her. However, her life takes a dark turn when she loses control, leading to a transformation filled with dangerous secrets she must conceal.
