Ella Purnell leads the wild and intriguing ride in the new Starz murder drama, Sweetpea. It’s hard to pituitas challenging to envision Purnell as the wild child known for her role in Yellowjackets shows and Arcane as a total wallflower who is invisible at work and to her extended family, but that’s precisely what the show asks you to do in order to suspend disbelief for a gripping narrative of loneliness, trauma, and ultimately revenge. ll plays the part of Rhiannon Lewis, a young woman with an administrative assistant position for a newspaper in the UK. We know Rhiannon is an outsider from the start. Her boss, Jeremy Swift (of the Ted Lasso show), keeps talk Jeremy Swift, her boss from the Ted Lasso show, frequently speaks over her as if she doesn’t exist in the room, and other employees frequently Rhiannon feels completely alone due to her invisibility, a tense family situation, and her dissatisfaction with her job.
The Darkness Behind Rhiannon’s Smile
Sweetpea clearly portrays her character as tormented, despite Purnell’s charming performance in heavy roles. The first scene defines Rhiannon as one who harbors dark thoughts—a kill list, to be precise. She recites this litany of “People I’d like to Kill” with a sort of diabolical calm, inviting the audience into her brain. Indeed, while it’s common for most of us to experience occasional irritation or anger towards those close to us, Rhiannon’s thoughts are distinct: they are darker and seem to extend further. Her list is not just a passing thought—it’s something she disturbingly closes to acting on.
The new film for Ella Purnell, Rhiannon, is simply nothing short of a spell weaver. She had already impressed the masses through the sheer range of her versatility, from playing Jackie in Yellowjackets, where she essayed the role of a queen bee abandoned in the wilderness, to voicing the emotionally complex character of Jinx for Netflix’s Arcane. In Sweetpea, Purnell portrays a completely different side of herself, one that is quiet, broken, and on the verge of a catastrophic event.
A portrait of everyday cruelty
What’s intriguingly real about Sweetpea is how familiar Rhiannon’s plight can be. At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced disdain, neglect, or outright disregard. All of us have felt alone, misunderstood, or bullied. Relentless cruelty and neglect are the driving forces that push Rhiannon to the brink. It is not just her boss and family members who ostracise her but even a bully from her childhood, Julia, played by Nicole Lecky. Small moments of cruelty pepper her life, evolving over time into something far more menacing.
The show mutes all this in our heads, making us aware of all these small incidents. Rhiannon’s life is a series of humiliations, small and big, and the lack of kindness she faces brings her to a point of breaking. It is a powerful commentary on how we deal with each other and the dire consequences that could possibly come from our deeds or lack thereof.
A comparison to Fargo’s Lester Nygaard
The character Lester Nygaard from the first season of Fargo may remind fans of dark, twisted drama. Lester, like Rhiannon, endured life’s beatings at the hands of his peers, family, and self-loathing. However, while Lester’s arc embodied the epitome of a pathetic man, Rhiannon emerges as a far more sympathetic character. Even with such chilling thoughts from her, the audience can’t help but feel for her. Her misery is somehow unfair, and one cannot help but feel a lingering headache over what might have changed if one small act of kindness had been given.
The emotional journey with Rhiannon is engaging, and as viewers, one feels an overwhelming sense of foreboding. Will she act on her darkest thoughts, or can she find some way to heal from the emotional wounds inflicted upon her by the world around her?
Why Sweetpea Works
Dark psychological undertones thrive on sweetpea, propelling a compelling narrative that explores how loneliness, trauma, and neglect can transform a human into an almost unrecognizable entity. While it challenges the notion of ignoring or overlooking someone as striking as Ella Purnell, it provides a deeper understanding of the manifestation of emotional pain.
The series also does well in its suspense usage. Does Rhiannon have it in her to carry out the kill list, or not? And though the entire series teases the audience that some kind of disaster was indeed inevitable, it gives just enough of a glimmer of hope; perhaps redemption still might be achievable for Rhiannon before it’s too late.
Final Thoughts
If I were watching the first episode of Sweetpea, I would think it is worth following up. Ella Purnell is an astonishing actress as Rhiannon: she shines into the dark and complex world of the character and illuminates every corner with that great thriller-like atmosphere. Indeed, Sweetpea may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who find it difficult to deal with darker themes. But it is one hard-hitting look at the impact of cruelty and alienation.
This series, which has been releasing weekly on both Starz and Paramount+, maintains a high level of suspense, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what will happen next. And whether you are moved into a psychological drama, revenge narrative, or just to see Ella Purnell in action, here is a show you do not want to miss.
Short Video Ideas
“Rhiannon’s Dark Descent” is an excerpt from the opening scene, which features Rhiannon with a list of people she wishes to kill, accompanied by suspenseful music.
“Ella Purnell’s Stellar Transformation” is a montage of Ella Purnell’s previous roles in Yellowjackets, Arcane, and her current role in Sweetpea.
“What Makes Sweetpea a Must-Watch?” Short, snappy commentary highlights the essential elements of the show.
