If you've been craving a darkly comic thriller with a killer lead performance, look no further than Sweetpea. Starring Ella Purnell—fresh off her acclaimed turn in Fallout—this six-part series has quietly become one of Starz's most-streamed titles, and it's about to get even bigger. Season 2 is officially scheduled for April 2026, making now the perfect time to catch up.
From Wasteland to Vengeance
Purnell's Rhiannon Lewis is a world away from her Fallout character Lucy. Where Lucy navigated a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles with plucky optimism, Rhiannon is a meek office worker pushed to the edge after her father's death. What follows is a gripping transformation from bullied wallflower to unapologetic killer—a journey that has drawn comparisons to Killing Eve's Villanelle, but with a distinctly British, pitch-black sensibility.
Based on CJ Skuse's 2017 novel—the first in a six-book series—Sweetpea Season 1 earned an 8/10 from Collider's Carly Lane, who praised Purnell's ability to "display every facet of Rhiannon's complicated personality, ranging from placidity to total, unadulterated fury." The supporting cast, including Nicôle Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch, and Leah Harvey, adds depth to this twisted world.
A Sleeper Hit Returns to the Charts
Though it debuted in 2024, Sweetpea is enjoying a major resurgence. As of this writing, it ranks among the top ten most-streamed shows on Starz in the U.S., proving that word-of-mouth is still alive and well in the streaming era. This isn't just a flash in the pan—the show's dark humor and Purnell's magnetic performance have turned it into a cult favorite that keeps drawing new viewers.
For fans of sleeper crime hits like MobLand, Sweetpea offers a similarly addictive blend of tension and wit. But where MobLand leans into gangster bravado, Sweetpea zeroes in on the psychology of a woman discovering her own capacity for violence.
What's Coming in Season 2?
Season 2 promises to raise the stakes. Rhiannon will grapple with the aftermath of her actions, facing greater inner conflict as she tries to reconcile her new identity with the life she left behind. Expect a promotion at work, a rebound romance, and—most ominously—a killer on the loose who's determined to expose her secrets.
The show's source material offers plenty of room for expansion, with five more novels in Skuse's series. If Season 1 was an origin story, Season 2 looks set to be a full-blown cat-and-mouse game—with Rhiannon both hunter and hunted.
Why 'Sweetpea' Is the 'Killing Eve' Replacement You've Been Waiting For
Since Killing Eve ended in 2022, fans have been searching for a show that captures that same mix of dark humor, complex female antiheroes, and stylish violence. Sweetpea delivers on all fronts. Purnell's Rhiannon is as unpredictable as Villanelle, but her journey is more grounded—a normal person pushed to extremes, rather than a born psychopath. That relatability makes every kill feel shocking and strangely justified.
If you're looking for another binge-worthy thriller, check out Unforgotten, a perfect True Detective replacement now streaming. But for something darker and more playful, Sweetpea is your next obsession.
How to Watch
All six episodes of Sweetpea Season 1 are currently streaming on Starz. Season 2 premieres in April 2026. With the show's current streaming surge, there's no better time to dive in—before everyone else catches up.
For more streaming updates, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
