You Need to Watch Ella Purnell’s Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

You Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

As a connoisseur of captivating television series, I must say that Sweetpea has undeniably left an indelible impression on me. Ella Purnell’s portrayal of Rhiannon is nothing short of extraordinary – a powerhouse performance that truly showcases the actress’s versatility and range.


Ella Purnell, who’s creating quite a stir, is quickly emerging as one of television’s most captivating and versatile performers. Her impressive acting skills are on display in numerous critically praised productions such as “Yellowjackets,” “Arcane,” and the gripping post-apocalyptic series “Fallout.” Purnell continues to amaze with her diverse acting abilities, winning over audiences once more with her enchantingly villainous character in the dark comedy series “Sweetpea.

The gripping and captivating series revolves around shy character Rhiannon Lewis, who, fed up with being consistently disregarded and ignored by society, chooses to revitalize her dull life in an unsettling way: through a chilling outlet – murder. Rhiannon embarks on a brutal rampage, targeting those who have wronged her and exacting grisly retribution upon them. Sweetpea has garnered widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics, boasting an exceptionally high 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating; let’s delve deeper into the fascinating premise of this series.

What Is Sweetpea About?

You Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

The captivating dark comedy-drama series “Sweetpea,” derived from the novel by CJ Skuse, primarily revolves around Rhiannon Lewis (played by Ella Purnell), a shy administrative assistant who has had enough of being disrespected and overlooked by those around her. As she navigates one emotional obstacle after another – from her demanding, thankless job to caring for her ailing father – Rhiannon finds herself trapped in a monotonous life that leaves her yearning for self-expression and a glimmer of hope.

Following an unimaginable disaster, Rhiannon finds herself pushed to the brink and unearths an unsettling means to vent her accumulated fury and resentment: cold-blooded homicide. As she systematically erases anyone who had ever crossed her path, from annoying colleagues to her former tormentors at school, and even impolite shoppers in the grocery store, each act of vengeance empowers the revenge-driven young woman, transforming her into a bold and unyielding assassin with an expanding roster of enemies she targets. To avoid detection by the authorities and preserve her secrets, Rhiannon must devise cunning strategies to remain one step ahead and keep her past indiscretions hidden.

Purnell Continues Her Television Domination

You Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

The delightfully diabolical revenge series features six riveting episodes and is yet another television hit for the talented Ella Purnell, who has made quite a name for herself on the small screen with dazzling performances in lauded hits like Yellowjackets, Arcane, and Fallout. Purnell began her impressive career as a child star, having made her film debut in the 2010 dystopian romantic drama Never Let Me Go, in which she portrayed the younger version of Keira Knightley’s character. The actress would follow up the role in movies including Kick-Ass 2, Maleficent, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, before shifting her focus back to TV projects.

2021 saw Purnell’s meteoric rise to fame and stardom, with her roles taking center stage. Firstly, she voiced the character of Jinx in the captivating steampunk animated series “Arcane“. Simultaneously, she brought Jackie Taylor, a high school soccer player who survived a plane crash in the gripping psychological thriller “Yellowjackets“, to life. In 2024, her fame continued to soar as she portrayed Lucy MacLean, a survivor of a nuclear war, in the critically praised post-apocalyptic drama “Fallout“. She shared the screen with Walton Goggins and Aaron Moten.

The captivating show “Sweetpea” offers another stunning display of Purnell’s acting prowess, as she delves deeply into the complex character of Rhiannon, a remarkably wicked yet intriguing role. According to Purnell, this series delves into significant themes such as female empowerment, deep-seated emotional struggles, and overt sexism in society. She describes “Sweetpea” as a blend between the dark serial killer drama of “Dexter” and the candid introspection of “Fleabag.” In an interview with CinemaBlend, Purnell elaborates on the essence of the series.

This narrative explores themes of morality, loss, and trauma, including childhood trauma. It’s a complex tapestry with various threads that can sometimes be difficult to connect. However, I believe the common thread that binds everything is the question that recurs throughout: What are the limits of one person’s endurance? The audience identifies with Rhiannon not only through her feelings and intentions but also despite her actions.

Sweetpea Becomes a Certified Streaming Hit

You Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten TomatoesYou Need to Watch Ella Purnell's Sweetpea With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

As a “growing-anger tale” brimming with intriguing plot twists, the series Sweetpea premiered on Starz on October 10, 2024, instantly captivating viewers and earning high acclaim for Purnell’s powerful portrayal of the tormented lead character. The sharp, modern dramedy is sure to resonate with audiences as they experience the intense emotions of Rhiannon, a character who ultimately breaks free from societal restraints and her personal ties after a lifetime of suppression, all while acting on her dangerous impulses and reclaiming control over her life.

Currently, Sweetpea boasts an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 83% on Popcornmeter, demonstrating a consensus among viewers and critics that Purnell’s Rhiannon is indisputably one of the most compelling and gripping characters on TV. Fans find themselves drawn to the transformation of this shy character into a ruthless serial killer. Every installment begins with the chilling phrase, “People I’d love to kill,” creating an atmosphere for Rhiannon’s bloody crusade as she teeters precariously along the edge of self-destruction.

In a chilling mix of terror, wit, and profound mental torment, the show Sweetpea follows Rhiannon’s harrowing journey into insanity. As she struggles to rationalize her escalating acts of violence, both for herself and for viewers, audiences find themselves gripped by anticipation, culminating in a spine-tingling cliffhanger ending. The Hollywood Reporter praised the daring new series, stating in their enthusiastic review, “What sets this British production apart and makes it more hauntingly captivating is its bold exploration of the ambiguous territory between retribution and brutality, victimhood and perpetration.

Stream Sweetpea on Starz.

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2024-10-15 00:31