STARZis adding anotherbook-to-series adaptationto its 2024 lineup as the network announced today that it’s acquired the rights to the dark comedy-drama series,Sweetpea. The Sky Studios production has been looking for a permanent distribution home, and they’ve found it with the platform that’s already served as the launching pad for such hits asOutlander, thePowerfranchise,The Serpent Queen, and more. StarringElla Purnell(Fallout), the actress transforms into her latest role as Rhiannon Lewis, a young woman who steps out of her own shadow to become the most infamous person in her inner circle - if not her entire town. Along with the reveal that the series is set to land on STARZ in 2024, potential audiences are also being treated to a first-look image of Purnell as Rhiannon.
Standing in the middle of a small store, Rhiannon holds an almost empty shopping basket and wears a white button-up shirt with a black jacket on top. Her blank expression feeds into what we’ve been told about her plainness at the beginning of the story, as she’s seemingly just staring into the void, not connected to the world around her.
From the show’s logline and what we know of theC.J. Skuse-penned novel that came before it,Sweetpeawill follow the life of the ordinary-looking Rhiannon who can’t seem to get ahead in life. In her professional world, she’s just been passed on for a promotion, in her romantic world, her situationship won’t commit, and at home, her dad is incredibly ill. As the blocks of frustration and stress continue to build and build, they all finally come toppling down and Rhiannon loses her cool, and makes a brutal decision that will change her life forever in this so-dubbed“coming-of-rage”story.
Who’s Joining Ella Purnell in ‘Sweetpea’?
Filling out the show’s ensemble cast is a list of names that includesNicôle Lecky(Sense8) as Julia,Jon Pointing(Big Boys) as Craig,Calam Lynch(Bridgerton) as AJ, andLeah Harvey(Foundation) as Marina, with guest appearances fromJeremy Swift(Ted Lasso) as Norman andDustin Demri-Burns(Slow Horses) as Jeff. The series hails from writer and executive producerKristie Swain(Pure), withElla Jones(The Baby) directing. Along with starring, Purnell also joins as an executive producer alongsideLaura JayneTunbridge,Selina Lim, and Jones.
Check out the first look image above and stay tuned to Collider for more information about when to expectSweetpea’s debut on STARZ.
