Summary

• Ella Purnell steps into a new role as a murderer in Sweetpea, a stark contrast to her Fallout character Lucy.
• Purnell's series promises a departure from her previous roles, showcasing her range as an actress.
• While Fallout's Lucy embodies hope, Sweetpea's Rhiannon is driven by darkness and violence, a complete reversal.

Sweetpea, Ella Purnell's first show in the wake of her Yellowjackets' cast of characters, Jackie's death cut the actor's time short — though Yellowjackets' success led to Purnell's breakout starring role in Amazon Prime Video's Fallout.

In Fallout, Purnell plays Lucy — a young woman who has grown up in an underground bunker away from the Wasteland's horrors. Lucy's father, Vault Overseer Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan), has raised Lucy to believe that it's the responsibility of Vault Dwellers to one day "save America" by rebuilding a society of yesteryear on the surface. Even among Fallout's eccentric cast of characters, Lucy stands out thanks to her initially optimistic nature. While Fallout may be Ella Purnell's most definitive role so far, the Starz series, Sweetpea, promises she won't be typecast.

Ella Purnell Will Play A Murderer In Starz's Show Sweetpea

Rhiannon Lewis Harbors A "Killer" Secret In Sweetpea

Adapted by Kristie Swain from CJ Skuse's 2017 book of the same name, Sweetpea stars Ella Purnell as Rhiannon Lewis. Although it's not yet clear how faithful to its source material the eight-part Starz series will remain, a few details are certain. Namely, Purnell's Rhiannon is a murderer. Having escaped childhood infamy, Rhiannon lives a quiet life with her doting boyfriend and dog. She manages an office, runs errands, and seems like a typical young adult. However, Rhiannon's chance encounter with a stranger reveals some long-buried secrets, suggesting her life isn't, exactly, all that quiet.

...the apparent girl-next-door's is harboring a killer secret.

The first book in a hugely popular series, Sweetpea's cover notes that the last person to call Rhiannon "Sweetpea" wound up dead. Clearly, the apparent girl-next-door's is harboring a killer secret. Overlooked by others, Rhiannon is able to get away with terrible things. Although her friends are excited about marriage and children, Rhiannon is more interested in making a kill list of people who frustrate her, from grocery store clerks to aggressive drivers to people she has a more personal connection with. Judging by the book's characterization of Rhiannon, all the bloodshed leaves her pretty unbothered.

How Ella Purnell's Role In Sweetpea Is The Opposite Of Lucy In Fallout

The Happy-Go-Lucky Lucy MacLean Actor Becomes A Jaded Murderer In Sweetpea

Despite what little details have been revealed about the Sweetpea adaptation, it's clear that Ella Purnell's Rhiannon Lewis is the complete opposite of Lucy MacLean. Although the world of Fallout is full of violence and cruelty, Lucy avoids conflict whenever possible. When she's pushed to fight back, Fallout's Lucy frames her violent actions as the last possible resort. Rhiannon, however, is a dark character who's driven by violence. The Sweetpea protagonist murders people who annoy her and is able to get a full night's sleep afterward. Needless to say, it will be fun to see how Purnell navigates the switch.

Sweetpea is expected to be available in the UK in 2024, though Starz has yet to announce a US release date.