Ella Purnell has been shining brightly in recent years. From her fantastic role as mean-girl Jackie Taylor in Showtime’s survival thriller Yellowjackets to her praised voice performance in Netflix’s Arcane, Purnell has shown incredible talent.
She also starred in Prime Video’s Fallout, holding her own against Walton Goggins’ Ghoul. It’s clear that Purnell has no intention of slowing down, and audiences are loving every moment of it.
Her latest project, Sweetpea, is set to air on Starz. The show, adapted by Kirstie Swain from the popular book series, allows Purnell to find a new kind of character. She plays Rhiannon Lewis, a shy and overlooked woman who unexpectedly finds herself taking control of her life, even if it involves committing a few murders along the way.
Rhiannon Lewis, played by Purnell, lives a quiet and overlooked life. She is constantly ignored by those around her, from her co-workers to the cashier at the grocery store. Strangers on the street don’t seem to notice her either, often bumping into her without even an apology. This has been the story of her life since high school, where she was cruelly bullied by a group of girls.
The bullying was so severe that Rhiannon pulled out most of her hair. Although her hair eventually grew back, the emotional damage remained. She never fully recovered her confidence and now lives a mundane life, taking care of her sick father and working a thankless job at the front desk of a local newspaper. However, Rhiannon often fantasizes about getting revenge, keeping a mental list of people she would love to kill.
At first, these thoughts seem harmless. Many people have dark thoughts during difficult times but don’t act on them. But for Rhiannon, a series of unfortunate events begins to push her toward actual violence. It all starts with the death of her father, which sends her into a spiral.
Things only get worse when Julia Blenkinsopp, Rhiannon’s biggest enemy from high school, re-enters her life at the worst possible moment. This combination of events causes Rhiannon to snap, leading her to make some shocking decisions.
Rhiannon is stretched to her emotional and mental limits. After a night out, she lashes out in a fit of rage, attacking an unsuspecting stranger. The violence changes her in ways she never expected. This act of bloodshed becomes a turning point in Rhiannon’s life. It gives her a newfound sense of confidence and power. At work, she starts standing up for herself.
She even demands and secures a promotion from her boss, played by Jeremy Swift, moving up from front-desk duties to a junior reporter position. She no longer lets people walk all over her. On public transportation, for example, she makes sure manspreaders are uncomfortable, something she never would have done before.
This new attitude is directly tied to her violent outburst. Although the murder was impulsive, it gives her the courage to make changes in her life that were long overdue. Rhiannon starts thriving in her new reality, but it comes with a price. For the first time in a long while, people begin to notice her, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for someone with something to hide.
As a police detective, played by Leah Harvey, begins investigating the murder, Rhiannon realizes she needs to stay ahead of the game. The more confident and successful she becomes, the more danger she faces.
In Sweetpea, Purnell’s character is often overlooked by those around her, but viewers get an intimate look at her thoughts and emotions. Through Rhiannon’s voiceover narration, audiences gain insight into how she processes her experiences and why she feels invisible. The bullying she endured as a teenager has left deep emotional scars, and she has learned to shrink herself to avoid more pain. Her inner light, once bright, has dimmed due to years of mistreatment.
Purnell plays this complexity beautifully. At the beginning of the series, Rhiannon is quiet and submissive, avoiding conflict at all costs. But once she unleashes her anger, her transformation is remarkable. She blossoms into a more confident version of herself, unapologetic in her pursuit of what she wants.
Whether she is demanding a promotion or hooking up with a romantic interest she was too shy to approach before, Rhiannon’s change is evident. In one memorable scene, after surprising her new love interest at work, she grabs his face and makes sure he looks at her during their intimate encounter. It’s a powerful moment that shows how far she has come in asserting herself.
Purnell’s portrayal of Rhiannon is multi-layered, and she takes advantage of every opportunity to showcase the character’s range. Rhiannon’s emotions swing from calm and composed to wild and furious, often within the same scene. This emotional depth makes her character one of the most compelling parts of the show.
However, not all aspects of Sweetpea are as strong as Purnell’s performance. The supporting cast, while entertaining, sometimes feels underdeveloped. Jeremy Swift’s portrayal of Rhiannon’s boss is amusing, but it doesn’t stray far from the type of character he played in Ted Lasso.
In Sweetpea, Swift plays an oblivious and mildly sexist boss who refers to Rhiannon by a diminutive nickname, echoing the title of the series. Although Swift’s performance is solid, it doesn’t offer anything new.
Bridgerton’s Calam Lynch plays AJ, Rhiannon’s new co-worker, and potential romantic interest. Lynch brings a sweet and sheepish quality to the role, making it easy for viewers to root for their budding relationship. However, this subplot doesn’t feel as fleshed out as it could be.
On the other hand, Nicôle Lecky, who plays Julia Blenkinsopp, Rhiannon’s high school bully, adds more depth to the series. When Rhiannon and Julia are forced to interact again, the tension between them is palpable. Their shared history forces Rhiannon to confront the unresolved pain from her past, which complicates her journey toward self-empowerment.
The show also introduces Leah Harvey’s detective character, who is investigating the murders Rhiannon is involved in. Midway through the season, the show shifts focus to the detective’s perspective, suggesting that Rhiannon and the detective have more in common than it initially seems. While this shift in viewpoint adds a new layer to the story, some viewers might find themselves longing for the series to return to Rhiannon’s narrative, as Purnell’s performance is the standout.
As the show progresses, the outcome of Rhiannon’s story remains uncertain. Sweetpea leaves viewers on a cliffhanger, with Rhiannon’s fate hanging in the balance. The twist is both shocking and sets the stage for a dramatic and likely bloody finale.
While many shows in this genre struggle to maintain momentum, Sweetpea manages to keep audiences hooked, thanks in large part to Purnell’s magnetic performance.
Even with its minor flaws, Sweetpea proves to be an addictive watch. The series blends dark humor, psychological drama, and elements of a crime thriller into a unique and engaging package. Purnell’s ability to portray a complex character like Rhiannon makes this series worth watching, and fans will likely be eager to see where her character’s journey leads next.
The show is a testament to Ella Purnell’s incredible range as an actress. Whether she is portraying a meek and timid wallflower or a woman on a violent quest for self-empowerment, Purnell delivers a performance that will leave a lasting impression. Sweetpea may not be perfect, but it succeeds in keeping viewers entertained and intrigued, with plenty of surprises along the way.
