Summary
Sweetpea, Ella Purnell’s first show in the wake of herFalloutsuccess, casts the actor in a role that’s the complete opposite of Vault Dweller-turned-adventurer Lucy MacLean — but in the best possible way. Prior toFallout, Purnell appeared in blockbusters like Zack Snyder’sArmy of the Deadand acclaimed TV series likeYellowjackets. She’s even lent her voice to Netflix’s hugely popular animated seriesArcane. While Purnell made an impression amongYellowjackets' cast of characters, Jackie’s death cut the actor’s time short — thoughYellowjackets' success led to Purnell’s breakout starring role in Amazon Prime Video’sFallout.
InFallout, 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 amongFallout’s eccentric cast of characters, Lucy stands out thanks to her initially optimistic nature. WhileFalloutmay be Ella Purnell’s most definitive role so far, the upcoming Starz series,Sweetpea, promises she won’t be typecast.
Ella Purnell Will Play A Murderer In Starz’s Upcoming Show Sweetpea
Rhiannon Lewis Harbors A “Killer” Secret In Sweetpea
Adapted by Kristie Swain from CJ Skuse’s 2017 book of the same name,Sweetpeastars Ella Purnellas 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 akillersecret.
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 akillersecret. 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.
Ella Purnell’s New Role Is Nothing Like We Expected After Her Fallout Success
Ella Purnell’s excellent performance as Lucy MacLean in Fallout made her one of 2024’s biggest stars, but her latest role is a massive surprise.
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 theworld ofFalloutis 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. TheSweetpeaprotagonist 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.
Sweetpeais expected to be available in the UK in 2024, though Starz has yet to announce a US release date.
Fallout
Set 200 years after an apocalypse, Fallout follows residents of luxury shelters as they re-enter a post-nuclear world. Confronted with a bizarre and violent landscape, the series explores the stark contrasts between their sheltered existence and the harsh realities of the outside universe.
