Sweetpea
Everything you need to know about the 'coming of rage' drama, Sweetpea
In this deviously twisted and darkly comic ‘coming-of-rage’ thriller based on the 2017 novel by C.J. Skuse, Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets, Fallout) stars as Rhiannon: a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and liberating taste for murder…
When we first meet Rhiannon Lewis, she doesn’t make much of an impression - people walk past her in the street without a second glance. She’s continually overlooked for a promotion at work, the guy she likes won’t commit, her sister is off living her life abroad with her husband and her dad is really, really sick. So far, so s**t.
But when the death of her dad turns her life upside down, Rhiannon gets pushed over the edge – and suddenly the wallflower is gone, with a young woman with a violent streak emerging in her place. And no one is safe.
In season two, which arrives in 2026, Rhiannon is heading into a new phase of her life, with her career on the up and even a new romance in her life. But when a copycat killer comes to town and threatens to expose her lethal side hustle, she’s forced to confront her actions and their consequences.
Sweetpea forms part of a bold line-up of Sky Originals and Exclusives coming to Sky and NOW screens in 2026 and beyond. From gripping dramas and films to big entertainment and compelling documentaries, Sky continues to champion distinctive storytelling alongside world-class talent - delivering the must-watch moments set to define the year ahead.
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Who stars in Sweetpea?
The main stars of Sweetpea season two are:
- Ella Purnell (Fallout, Yellowjackets) as Rhiannon
- Jon Pointing (Big Boys, Smothered) as Craig
- Leah Harvey (Foundation, A Gentleman in Moscow) as Marina
- Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso, Downton Abbey) as Norman
- Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who, The Watch) as D.I. Diana St. John
- Tamsin Greig (Riot Women, Friday Night Dinner) as AJ’s mother, Liv
- Rish Shah (Overcompensating, Joy) as Rhiannon's romantic interest Gabriel
- Taj Atwal (Riot Women, Line of Duty) as Freya, Rhiannon’s new boss at the Carnsham Gazette
- Jenny Walser (Heartstopper, Star City) as new friend Daisy
Previous key cast members have included:
- Nicole Lecky (Mood, Sense8) as Julia Blenkingsopp
- Calam Lynch (Bridgerton, Lord Of The Rings: Rings of Power) as AJ
- Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses, Am I Being Unreasonable?) as Jeff
- Dino Kelly (Trigger Point, Alexander: The Making Of A God) as Marcus
Sweetpea was directed by Ella Jones (Back To Life, The Baby) in season one, and she returns for season two alongside Coky Giedroyc (How to Build a Girl, Save Me).
The series is written by Selina Lim, Emme Hoy, Anna Jordan and Laura Jayne Tunbridge, and also marks Ella Purnell’s first executive producer role.
What is the age rating of Sweetpea?
Sweetpea has been certified as 18 for the overall series, which means it’s been deemed suitable for adults only.
This means the series is considered suitable for adults only.
Reasons for this rating include:
- Graphic depictions of murder – including blood and gore
- Profane language including frequent use of the words c**t and f**k
- Depictions of sex (though nudity is notably kept to a minimum)
- Scenes of violence and perilous scenarios
- Depictions of domestic violence including physical and emotional abuse
- Scenes of death including one instance of a domestic pet
- Violent scenes
- Discussions and depictions of mental health
Which books are in the Sweetpea series?
The Sweetpea book series has five novels in total, with the final book being released in October 2024.
The stories follow Rhiannon Lewis throughout her life.
The order of the main series is:
- Sweetpea (2017)
- In Bloom (2018)
- Dead Head (2021)
- Thorn in My Side (2023)
The Bad Seeds (2024)
C.J Skuse’s Sweetpea novels and the Sky series do not follow the exact same lines, with several characters being expanded on, and Rhiannon’s back story being changed.
How to watch Sweetpea on Sky
Sky is the exclusive home of Sweetpea and is available now on Sky Atlantic and NOW. It will not be available on rival streaming services such as Netflix or Disney+.
