Here’s a first look at buzzy Sky/Starz series Sweetpea starring Fallout’s Ella Purnell.
Penned and EP’d by Pure writer Kirstie Swain, Sweetpea follows Rhiannon Lewis, who 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 sick. But when she’s pushed over the edge and loses control, the wallflower is gone, replaced by a young woman capable of anything.
The series, which will launch in October, is based on the cult novel by C.J. Skuse. Starz jumped aboard as U.S. co-producer last month and Power of the Dog maker See-Saw Films is producing with its new Patrick Walters-led label fanboy.
Purnell is one of the hottest TV talents out there at present, having impressed as Jackie Taylor in Paramount+’s Yellowjackets and subsequently led Prime Video’s Fallout video game adpatation. She said she “truly cannot wait for the world to meet Sweetpea.”
Sweetpea cast includes Nicôle Lecky (Mood, Sense8) as Julia, Jon Pointing (Big Boys, Smothered) as Craig, Calam Lynch (Bridgerton) as AJ, Leah Harvey (Foundation) as Marina. Also starring are Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) as Norman and Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses) as Jeff.
Sweetpea is a six-part series produced by See-Saw Films and fanboy in association with Sky Studios. Swain is writing with Krissie Ducker (Killing Eve), Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim (Sex Education, Hanna). EPs are Purnell, director Ella Jones, Swain, Walters, Helen Gregory, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman. Zorana Piggott (Heartstopper) is the series producer. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.