Starz renews Sweetpea: Ella Purnell will return as twisted killer Rhiannon Lewis

Rhiannon Lewis will return more twisted than ever in another season of the dark comedy thriller series Sweetpea. Starz and Sky Original announced the renewal news on Tuesday, almost two months after the show debuted with all six episodes of its first season.

Ella Purnell, of Yellowjackets and Fallout fame, stars as the enigmatic lead character, a seemingly quiet young woman with a sick secret.

For most of her life, Rhiannon has played the part of the wallflower. Working as a receptionist, Rhiannon spends her days entertaining murderous thoughts. The only person she really has to depend on is her father, who is very sick. When a traumatic event causes her life to change drastically, Rhiannon finally snaps, embracing the darkness that has long been festering.

Starz assures fans that the second season will see Rhiannon attempting to manage her "killer secret."

Speaking about the show, Purnell, who also executive produces, describes her character's "coming-of-rage journey" as a "career highlight" for her to play. Fans are connecting with the character's eccentric behavior and complexity.

“Ella Purnell’s killer performance captured the journey of a woman finally finding her voice, and we’re thrilled with the response from critics and viewers," says Starz Networks President Alison Hoffman.

Sweetpea premiered to critical acclaim this past October, garnering an 86% approval score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews. Critics praised the series for its bold take on the revenge fantasy, with Purnell receiving many compliments for her vicious and compelling central performance.

Purnell is no stranger to the world of genre storytelling, having starred in notable horror and sci-fi projects like Yellowjackets, Fallout, Star Trek: Prodigy, Arcane, and Army of the Dead. Next, she will star in The Scurry, a comedy horror film about killer squirrels.

Fallout season 2 has also been renewed for a second season, with shooting reportedly starting last month, meaning Purnell likely won't get to return to the Sweetpea set until she finishes filming the Prime Video show's sophomore season.

For those who haven't seen the first season yet, all six episodes are now available to watch on Sky and the NOW streaming service in the UK. Residents of the United States and Canada can watch the show on the Starz streaming app or channel.