Starz has boarded dark British series Sweetpea, starring Yellowjackets and Fallout star Ella Purnell.
The series, which comes from Kirstie Swain, was originally ordered by UK pay broadcaster Sky Atlantic in 2020, as revealed by Deadline. Starz has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the six-part series and will air it later this year.
The series follows Rhiannon Lewis, played by Purnell, 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, 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 anew, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer secret?
The series is produced by See-Saw Films and Patrick Walters’ Fanboy in association with Sky Studios.
It also stars Nicôle Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch and Leah Harvey as well as Jeremy Swift and Dustin Demri-Burns.
The series is based on C.J. Skuse’s novel, which was published in 2017.
It has been adapted by Swain alongside Krissie Ducker Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim. Purnell, Swain, Ella Jones, who also directs, Manpreet Dosanjh, Patrick Walters and Emile Sherman. Zorana Piggott is series producer.
“We’re excited to partner again with Ella Purnell and Sky Studios on such a fresh, boundary-breaking story,” said Alison Hoffman, President of Domestic Networks, Starz. “This darkly comedic tale of revenge is sure to thrill viewers, as is Ella’s performance as a woman who finds her voice and claims her agency in ways that are devious and shocking.”