"SWEETPEA," A DARKLY COMIC AND TWISTED COMING-OF-"RAGE" THRILLER SET TO DEBUT ON STARZ IN 2024

STARZ WILL SERVE AS THE U.S. AND CANADA BROADCAST HOME OF THE ORIGINAL SERIES STARRING AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY ELLA PURNELL

Pasadena, Calif. - July 11, 2024 - STARZ has acquired the U.S. and Canada rights to the deviously twisted coming-of-'rage' story "Sweetpea," starring Ella Purnell ("Yellowjackets," "Fallout," "Sweetbitter") who will also serve as executive producer. Purnell stars as Rhiannon, a quiet wallflower who develops a vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder. "Sweetpea" is produced by See-Saw Films and fanboy in association with Sky Studios. The six-part series was acquired directly from Sky Studios and is set to debut in 2024 as a STARZ original in the U.S. and Canada.

"We're excited to partner again with Ella Purnell and Sky Studios on such a fresh, boundary-breaking story," said Alison Hoffman, President of Domestic Networks, STARZ. "This darkly-comedic tale of revenge is sure to thrill viewers, as is Ella's performance as a woman who finds her voice and claims her agency in ways that are devious and shocking."

Rhiannon Lewis 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, and her dad is really, really sick. Then everything in her life turns upside down. Rhiannon is pushed over the edge and loses control. Suddenly the wallflower is gone, and in its place is a young woman capable of anything... Rhiannon's life transforms as she steps into a new, intoxicating power, but can she keep her killer secret?

The ensemble cast includes Nicôle Lecky ("Mood," "Sense8") as Julia, Jon Pointing (Big Boys, Smothered) as Craig, Calam Lynch ("Bridgerton") as AJ, Leah Harvey ("Foundation") as Marina. Also starring Jeremy Swift ("Ted Lasso") as Norman and Dustin Demri-Burns ("Slow Horses") as Jeff.

The series is adapted from C.J. Skuse's cult novel of the same name by writer and Executive Producer Kirstie Swain (Pure), alongside Krissie Ducker ("Killing Eve"), Laura Jayne Tunbridge and Selina Lim (Sex Education, Hanna). The series is directed by award-winning director Ella Jones (The Baby, Back To Life), who also serves as Executive Producer. Sweetpea is produced by See-Saw Films and fanboy in association with Sky Studios. The series was originally commissioned by Sky Studios for Sky across Europe. Commissioning Editor, Manpreet Dosanjh, is Executive Producer for Sky Studios. Executive Producer for fanboy is Patrick Walters (Heartstopper), and Executive Producers for See- Saw Films are Helen Gregory, Iain Canning, and Emile Sherman. Ella Purnell also serves as Executive Producer. Zorana Piggott (Heartstopper) is the Series Producer.

About STARZ

STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ(R) service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.

About Sky Studios

Sky Studios is the home of Sky Original Drama and Comedy. We develop, commission and produce unmissable programming for Sky's customers across Europe. Our teams partner with the best indies and talent globally, to drive creative excellence and tell original stories that are loved the world over. 

Upcoming and recent Sky Originals include BAFTA-winning global hit, Gangs of London, Mary & George, starring Julianne Moore, The Day of the Jackal, with Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, and M. Son of the Century, directed by Joe Wright. 

Alongside Sky Original Comedy and Drama, Sky Studios is also home to an in-house Factual development and production team, and some of the world's most exciting production companies including Blast! Films, True North and Love Productions. We also operate Sky Studios Elstree, the UK's newest film and TV studio with 13 sound stages, just north of London.

About See-Saw Films:

See-Saw Films is an Academy Award(R), Emmy and BAFTA-winning television and film production house, founded in 2008 by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning. The innovative production company is made up of an industry-leading team across offices in London and Sydney, with Helen Gregory as creative director, Simon Gillis as COO, and Liz Watts as head of television and film, Australia.

See-Saw Films projects have been nominated for 30 Academy Awards(R) and won 5, nominated for 53 BAFTAs and won 14, nominated for 28 Emmys and won 12 and nominated for 98 AACTAs and won 27.

See-Saw titles include Jane Campion's Academy Award(R) winning The Power Of The Dog; BAFTA and Emmy-nominated Slow Horses for Apple TV+; BAFTA Award winning Lion; Emmy-winning Heartstopper for Netflix; and the Academy Award(R) Best Picture-winning The King's Speech. Projects currently in production include TV series Sweetpea for Sky, Apple Cider Vinegar for Netflix, and further seasons of Slow Horses for Apple TV+ and Heartstopper For Netflix. See-Saw are also in partnership with Michael Ende Productions to develop and produce live action films adapted from Michael Ende's novel The Neverending Story.

Alongside an in-house sales agency Cross City Films, See-Saw has two joint venture production companies, I Am That with creator/director Garth Davis (Lion), and Picking Scabs with writer/showrunner Samantha Strauss (The End); an in-house label fanboy run by Heartstopper executive producer Patrick Walters; and is an investor in Tom Winchester's TV company, Pure Fiction, alongside talent agency Hamilton Hodell. www.see-saw-films.com