Sweetpea

Sweetpea (2024-) is a British dark comedy slasher television series produced by See-Saw Films and distributed by Sky Atlantic at the United Kingdom and Starz in the United States. Based on the 2017 Sweetpea book series by CJ Skuse, the series follows Rhiannon Lewis, a downtrodden wallflower receptionist at the fictional Carnsham Gazette whose consecutive series of unfortunate events - the loss of her father and pet dog and the imminent loss of her childhood home to her former school bully whom's now become a real-estate agent - push her to the breaking point upon a chance encounter with a drunken stranger whom pushes her to commit her first murder... and it wouldn't be the last. Season 1 Sorry For Your Loss [1.01] [Opening narration] Rhiannon Lewis: People I'd love to kill. Manspreaders. Donna in the mini-market, who is never happy to help. Norman, from work. For failing to acknowledge my potential. Jeff, from work, for having zero spatial awareness. Actually... everybody at work. [referring to Craig] People whom have sex with you and then only reply to your texts with emojis. My sister Seren, for leaving me in red, on my phone and in my life in general. Our mom, for leaving, and forgetting to tell us where she went. And, forever on the top of my list... Julia Blenkingsopp, whom subjected me to a relentless campaign of psychological abuse, eroding my self-worth and general context in the world. Julia Blenkingsopp, for making me pull so much of my hair out I had to wear a wig. Julia Blenkingsopp, for turning me into a ghost. Making me forever invisible, and afraid. This Sort of Thing Needs Some Feminine Energy [1.02] Black Spots in the Garage [1.03] Rhiannon: People I'd love to kill. Julia Blenkingsopp from school, for subjecting me to a relentless campaign of psychological abuse between the ages of 12 and 16. Julia Blenkingsopp, for making me spend approximately 32% of my school career hiding in a toilet. Julia Blenkingsopp, for making me actually want to be dead. Julia Blenkingsopp, for having a cool job, with good morale and scope for career progression. For having friends to do stuff with, instead of sitting at home at her dead dad's robe. For having a really nice house, that probably has bi-folding doors and a kitchen island! For having a partner, who's basically a Ken doll, and for not peaking at school, like bullies are supposed to do! Julia Fucking Blenkingsopp, for her perfect little life! But, all good things must come to an end... Everybody Loves Julia [1.04] [Opening narration] Det. Marina Farrow: People I'd love to kill. The DI, for calling me at inappropriate times, asking me to do inappropriate things. My landlady (Mrs. Wheeler), for having a bath every fucking morning. Whomever let these jokers (Her colleagues) join the police. Witnesses whom listen to too many true crime podcasts. And, of course... people whom think they can actually kill people... and get away with it. [Rhiannon visits a bound and gagged Julia at the garage, the morning following her botched murder attempt, and removes her gag.] Julia: WHAT THE FUCK!? This is actually a kidnapping, you're doing a kidnapping! Rhiannon: Well... it was meant to be a murder, but, once again, you had to go and ruin everything. Julia: Rhiannon, please... Rhi, you're clearly going through something 'cause of your dad. So why don't I get out of your hair, and you can call the samaritans, or something? Rhiannon: Are you taking a piss? Julia: We were kids! It was a joke! Rhiannon: A joke!? You bullied me until I started pulling my hair out. Julia: That was years ago, Rhiannon! We're adults now, you need to get over it. It's not healthy being such stuck in the past! [Rihannon kneels close to Julia] Rhiannon: I wore a wig... until I was 23! Julia: Rhiannon- Rhiannon: I'm STUCK here... because of you. You did this! You made me feel fucking invisible, Julia. And I stayed in this town, in this house, because of you, and now you're trying to take that away from me, too! Julia: I don't care about your shit life, you- [Rhiannon cuts Julia off by holding the pocket knife to her throat.] Rhiannon: You're fucking done, Julia. [Rhiannon prepares to slash Julia's throat, but ends up hesitating, realizing she can't do it, without knowing why, and Julia notices.] Julia: This is just like you, Rhi... Rhiannon: Stop it... Julia: Stop what? I'm not the one playing out some dramatic kidnap fantasy. You're a murderer, now. A serial killer! Fuck off. Rhiannon: Actually to be a serial killer, you have to have killed three people and I only killed two, so- Julia: This is weird, Rhiannon. Why you're so fucking weird? You're not a victim. You're a fucking loser, whom blames everyone else for your shit life. [Rhiannon becomes triggered, knowing Julia deep down has a point. She gets up and slams the nearby drawer.] Rhiannon: FUCK! Julia: You just can't stand that my life is actually good and you have nothing! Killing me won't change that! [Rhiannon suddenly rushes towards her and gags her back] WAIT- Rhiannon: I'll deal with you later. [Rhiannon leaves the garage, slamming the door shut. She heads to the leaving room, noticing she pulled her hair again. Gradually breaking down, she bashes the stairs' guardrail and then rushes to hug her late father's coat for comfort. Seconds later, she presses her face towards it and lets out an anguished wail, before she recomposes herself.] Rhiannon: I'm not a loser. [Rhiannon, having found Marcus' messages, visits Julia at the garage again. She kneels before Julia with the pocket knife at her throat before she smoothly guides the blade to the side, removing the gag with it, a smile on her face.] Rhiannon: I'm onto you. [She takes the knife's tip to Julia's chin, pressing it] Julia: That hurts, Rhiannon. Rhiannon: You make it look like you've got this perfect life, but actually... it's all fake, isn't it? Julia: ...what? Rhiannon: Everyone thinks that you're fucking lovely. That you've got this fucking lovely life, but actually... you don't, do you? And you're not. You're awful. I know it. Marcus knows it. Julia: Marcus? What's he got to do with it? Rhiannon: That's right, you had not seen his many, many messages. [picks up Julia's cellphone] So, I'll share them, shall I? "Why won't you fucking reply?". "You always do this, you fucking bitch.". "Why are you always trying to hurt me?". "I'm going to kill myself, and it'll all be your fault.". "It's fucking abuse!". You're abusive. It's not even the worst of 'em. Julia: [visibly hurt] Fuck off, Rhiannon... Rhiannon: So what'd you do to him? Julia: Nothing. Rhiannon: Right, you must've done something, because he is not happy with you. Julia: I didn't do anything. Rhiannon: What was it, did you erode his self-worth and general context in the world? Julia: No. Rhiannon: You ruin lives, Julia. You're like... cancer. Or... climate change. Or Russia. Yeah, the world would be a better place without you. Except, at least with Russia, everyone knows what a psycho Putin is, no one even knows about you! And by the time they do, it's too late, 'cause you already destroyed them! Julia: Fine! I'm a terrible person! I deserve him, I deserve this. It's all a lie, I'm a huge fucking fake! Is that what you wanna hear!? [Julia starts breaking down in tears and bashing the back of her head against the post she's bound to.] Julia: Oh, God... Rhiannon: What? Julia: He's a fucking monster! [weeps] I don't know how to get out... I don't know how to get out! I don't know how to get out. I don't know how to get out. He controls everything! I don't know how to get out! [Julia nods her head towards Rhiannon for comfort. Rhiannon herself is in shock as Julia finally collapses.] Julia: I don't know how to get out... Someone's Been a Naughty Girl [1.05] [Opening narration] Rhiannon Lewis: People I'd love to kill. Donna from the mini-market, for suddenly being all too fucking happy to help! Grief tourists, especially those whom sing. The people of Carnsham, for their community spirit. My sister, for not getting the hint when I leave her on red! Myself, for wanting to be a reporter. Julia Blenkingsopp, for having an abusive fiancée complicating everything! And still being in my fucking garage! [With Julia still being kept hostage, Rhiannon brings both some food] Rhiannon: Bon appetit. Julia: Thanks. [takes a snack] Marcus won't stop looking for me. Rhiannon: [shrugs] Well, hope he's not scream-ish, 'cause you'll be dead when he finds you. Julia: I don't believe you. I didn't mean what I said about him. Rhiannon: Which part? The part about he being a monster or you deserving it? Because they both sound about right. Julia: He's been under a lot of pressure, doing up this place on the edge of town. He got it for me. Rhiannon: [sarcastically] Wow, aren't you lucky? Should I bury you under the patio, or... Julia: ...there's something wrong with you. Rhiannon: And who's fault is that? [Julia, in the kitchen, just overheard a conversation between Rhiannon and AJ that the whole town is looking for her] Julia: There's a search party? Rhiannon: [lying] No, there's not. [Rhiannon cleans up the mess Julia had done in the kitchen] Julia: I'm still hungry. Rhiannon: You're just so... [Looks at the kitchen table, noticing something absent] Where are the scissors? [Julia takes the chance, slashing Rhiannon's arm, making her drop the pocket knife. Rhiannon tries reaching for it, but Julia slashes away, making Rhiannon take cover behind the door as both start throwing things at each other.] Rhiannon: GIVE UP! Julia: The people are looking for me, I heard! The police will be unto you! Rhiannon: The police don't have a fucking clue! I'm writing articles about you like a fucking hero! [Julia grabs the pocket knife and starts trying to cut away her restraining rope while Rhiannon grabs a tissue and forms a tourniquet on her slashed arm.] Rhiannon: Why'd you have to come back here!? I WAS DOING FINE WITHOUT YOU! Julia: No, you weren't, you said it yourself: your life got BETTER when you brought me here! Maybe you should thank me! Rhiannon: Oh, yeah, thanks for making me feel so sub-human at school that I wanted to kill you! [gets on her feet and grabs the nearby broomstick] Julia: Oh, right! [Rhiannon bashes the broomstick violently at Julia's head, making her pass out.] Rhiannon: Don't... PUSH ME! [Rhiannon drops the broomstick, but then she takes notice of a bloodstream between Julia's legs, indicating she's on her period] Rhiannon: Oh, for fuck's sake... [Following the failed escape attempt, Julia is sitting on the filled bathtub, with Rhiannon keeping an eye on her, as she holds an ice pack on the area where she was hit by the broomstick.] Rhiannon: It's you at fault. Julia: [Drops the ice pack] You sound like Marcus... Rhiannon: I am nothing like him. Julia: You are exactly like him. [Shows Rhiannon the back of her neck, heavily scarred, getting Rhiannon's attention] He threw me through a glass door last time I tried to move out. He hurts me, so do you. He won't let me go... neither will you. Rhiannon: [defensively] No, 'cause what he's doing is bullying. And I protect people from bullies, so... Julia: And where do I fit into all that? Rhiannon: I don't know! [beat] I don't know, you're ruining it all... [At dusk, following Jeff's "accident" and reading through Marcus' messages to her, Rhiannon comes home and talks to Julia.] Rhiannon: I think I know a way out of this... [...] Julia: Framing him for kidnapping and murder? It's a bit extreme. Rhiannon: Yeah, well, we're in a bit of an extreme situation. [Julia shrugs in sarcasm] This is the only way. Julia: I love him... Rhiannon: But he treats you like shit. Julia: He can be... very sweet. Rhiannon: Really? What'd he get you for Valentine's Day, a tracker for your car? A couple more stitches? Julia... he's an abuser. He deserves to be behind bars. You said you wished there was a way out for us both. Life 2.0 [1.06] [Opening narration, as Rhianna and Julia are taken to the police station following Marcus' "suicide", and Rhianna is eventually brought face to face with Marina in the interrogation room] Marina: People I'd love to kill... Rhiannon: People I'd love to kill... Marina and Rhiannon: [regarding each other, in unisson] This bitch. [During the cross examination interrogation, in which both Rhiannon and Julia maintain the same story, although Marina herself doesn't believe it.] Rhiannon: Sorry, why do we have to go over it again? I just... I already told you, and I'm... really tired, and it's just... You know, it's, it's really such a blur. D.I. Diana St. John: I could murder a Frappuccino. I think we've got everything we need. Thank you, Rhiannon. Marina: Wait, wait, no, just... just a minute, please. Um, your dad passed away recently, didn't he? Rhiannon: Um... yeah. Marina: For the benefit of the tape, I'm showing Rhiannon a photo of the evidence #XR920B. [Marina shows the photo to Rhiannon, of Rhiannon's very pocket knife] Marina: Have you seen it before? Rhiannon: Uh, yeah. That's Marcus' knife. Marina: I looked it up, actually, it's a lock knife. It's traditionally used for utility purposes. In trades. Your dad is a joiner, isn't he? Sorry, was. Rhiannon: ...yeah, he was. Marina: He was a big part of your life. You lived together. You looked after him when he got sick. Rhiannon: Yes, it's right. Marina: Sweet. And your mom? Rhiannon: Yeah, she's not around. Marina: And your sister- Rhiannon: Is abroad. Yeah. Marina: That must be hard. Going through all that pain... when you're so alone. Rhiannon: Sorry, is this... going somewhere? Diana: I'm not sure this is- Marina: You had no one. No dad, no sister around. And then your school bully turns up, the one whom made you pull your hair out so much, you had to wear a wig. And she tries to take away the ONE thing you have left of him - his house! No wonder you were so angry, I, I- I get it! I see you. [Rhiannon looks away, Marina notices she hit a nerve.] Marina: You know, I feel overlooked all the time. I find myself fantasizing about people dying in horrible accidents, just so I don't have to deal with them, anymore. But I don't actually murder them. Diana: Alright... Uh, now- Marina: You killed those men. Diana: Marina. Marina: And you were gonna kill Julia, too. Rhiannon: [clearly shaken] No, I wasn't. Marina: But then something changed. Rhiannon: No, she's a victim, I saved her! Marina: Unlike the other two bullies you stabbed to death!? Diana: Farrow! Out! [Gets on her feet, picking up the evidence photo and heading to the door, opening it.] Now? [Marina glances at Rhiannon, whom lets out a nervous smirk, before getting up and leaving.] [Following Rhiannon's interrogation.] Diana: What the fuck are you doing? Marina: Trying to get something out of her that wasn't a lie! Diana: Oh, God, I don't want to have to report you, I hate filling in forms! Marina: She did it! We know she did it! Diana: Irresponsible, idiotic policing! You don't know anything. You're just making it up as you go along. We have no DNA evidence for the first two murders. Marina: [pointing at Rhiannon, through the glass] We have an actual murderer in custody. Diana: No, we have two women - one whose physical exam confirms abuse and abduction - corroborating the same story about the same man, whose fingerprints were also found on the murder weapon. Marina: At least just let me search her house. Diana: No, let it go, case closed. Marina: She's not who you think she is. She's not a hero or a victim. She's a fucking serial killer! Diana: [under her breath] Oh, my God... Marina: And you're letting her get away with it! Diana: [to Marina] You're not overlooked. You're just not good enough. [Having returned home from her ordeal at the Police Station, Rihannon suddenly hears the window knocking and realizes it's Julia. She receives her.] Julia: I had nowhere else to go. Wow, there are some *seriously aggressive* reporters outside my house. Rihannon: [noticing Julia's tense] Are you... okay? Julia: Well, you... you killed my fianceé. And then we went back and lied to the police, babe, em... that wasn't the plan. You fucking killed him. So... no. Uh, not okay, actually. Rihannon: [approaching her] I know, I know, I know. Julia? He would've killed you, I had to save you from him. Alright? I swear, I'll never kill again, but I had to. And now you're safe. You won't have to see him again. He can't hurt you anymore, okay? Julia: Yeah... yeah. Rihannon: It's over. [Julia suddenly bursts in joy.] Julia: Fucking hell! Free! [hugs Rhiannon] We're free. Rihannon: [surprised] Uh, yeah. Free.[Cut to later, in the living room, where both are eating together, clothes changed. A siren outside passes by the carriageway.]Julia: I keep thinking the police are gonna turn up. Rihannon: No. They won't. Julia: I can't go to prison, Rhi. I feel like I just got out of one. Rihannon: People don't go to prison for doing good things, okay? He was a bad man. Society should be thanking us, not... making us... doubt ourselves. Julia: [beat] Do you really believe that? Rihannon: I do, 'cause that's what fucking happened. We did that. We've rid the world of a bully. Julia: Yeah. Yeah, we fucking did it. Rihannon: Now the rest of our lives can begin. Marina: Y'know, a part of me was like... Have I lost it? Could she have really done that? She's like, the size of a small child. She used to own a Chihuahua. Rhiannon: Yeah. You've lost it. Marina: And then I saw the CCTV. And I was like - Yeah. She could.Rhiannon: [feigning ignorance] What CCTV? Marina: I knew it was you. People underestimate you, Rhiannon. Rhiannon: What, I don't seem like the Chihuahua type? Marina: They don't know what you're capable of. But I do. Rhiannon: Look, whatever you think you found... it's not like you can use it, is it? You broke in.Marina: I don't care. I know you'll do it again. Rhiannon: [shrugs] Do what? Marina: This isn't you, Rhiannon. This new life? It's all pretend. It's empty. And it's only a matter of time before they all realize that. You'll do it again. You'll need to. And when you do... I will be there. I just wanted you to know that. Rhiannon: [approaching Marina] I have everything I need. So you're gonna be waiting a long time. Which is good, 'cause it seems like you've got a lot of that on your hands, spending your evenings breaking into people's houses and going through their underwear drawers. But you've got nothing else... have you?[Both glance at each other. Rhiannon lets out a smile. Marina smirks back.]'' Marina: See you, Rhiannon. Cast Ella Purnell - Rhiannon Lewis Nicôle Lecky - Julia Blenkingsopp Leah Harvey - Marina Farrow Jon Pointing - Craig Calam Lynch - AJ Pierce Jeremy Swift - Norman Dustin Demri-Burns - Jeff Barker Alexandra Dowling - Seren Lewis