Yahoo News Sweetbitter's Ella Purnell: 'Tess may not be likeable in season 2 but she's finding her voice'
Sweetbitter returns for a second season on StarzPlay with Ella Purnell reprising her role as Tess in the drama based on the acclaimed novel by Stephanie Danler.
The series follows Tess' journey of self-discovery and ambition after uprooting to New York and securing a job in a celebrated restaurant.
The 22-year-old Ordeal by Innocence actress suggested that while her character may appear less "likeable" as she becomes more self-assured and takes control of her life professionally, it's something many women can relate to.
"In season one, life happens to Tess and in season two, she's finally found her position," Purnell explained. "She has the job security, but instead of plateauing at a level of comfort and security she needs to keep pushing herself.
"I'm not saying she's necessarily likeable as she goes through this, but she definitely finds her voice and comes into her own and you start to delve into her backstory.
"It's about finding her voice and this is a moment in life that every woman can relate to, when you really give yourself permission to occupy space and you know and you figure out what you like and what you want and what you deserve.
"And you have to stand up for yourself and go, 'You know what? I do work f**king hard and I do deserve that promotion.' I think we're always taught to be so likeable, and to make ourselves smaller and be agreeable all the time and it's about going, 'I don't care, I want this, and this is what I deserve.' And it's terrifying."
Purnell – who has just finished shooting Julian Fellowes' period drama Belgravia – also revealed that this season is more of an ensemble piece, with Tess "finally realising that the world is bigger".
"We delve into every character and everybody has their own storyline – each episode focuses on a different character, which I find very interesting and it bleeds into that idea that Tess is finally realising that the world is bigger than her, there's much more to life than her and her problems," the star continued.
"Will's [Evan Jonigkeit] dealing with his questions of morality, and Ari [Eden Epstein] has drug problems and mental health, and Sasha [Daniyar] has his immigration status.
"Heather [Jasmine Mathews] – she's the only woman of colour working on the front of house, and there are issues of race and even though this show is set in 2008, they are still 100% very present in all aspects of life.
"Howard [Paul Sparks], we're addressing abusing power in the workplace which as we know is on everyone's mind right now and it's very interesting that it is set in 2008, but the themes are completely transcendent over time."
Sweetbitter season two begins on StarzPlay on Sunday, July 14.
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