Sweetbitter is an American drama television series, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Stephanie Danler and inspired by her time working in New York’s well-known restaurant Union Square Café. The show premiered on May 6, 2018 on Starz. In July 2018, it was announced that Starz had renewed the series for a second season which premiered on July 14, 2019. In December 2019, the series was canceled after two seasons. Premise Sweetbitter follows Tess, who shortly after arriving in New York City, lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Swiftly introduced to the world of drugs, drinking, love, lust, dive bars and fine dining, she learns to navigate the chaotically alluring, yet punishing life she has stumbled upon." Cast and characters Main Ella Purnell as Tess Tom Sturridge as Jake Caitlin FitzGerald as Simone Evan Jonigkeit as Will Eden Epstein as Ariel ‘Ari’ Jasmine Mathews as Heather Daniyar as Sasha Paul Sparks as Howard Recurring Jimmie Saito as Scott Katerina Tannenbaum as Becky Rafa Beato as Santos Guest Sandra Bernhard as Maddie Glover Episodes Season 1 (2018) Season 2 (2019) Production Development In July 2017, it was reported that Starz was developing a television adaptation of Stephanie Danler's novel Sweetbitter and considering ordering it to series. The project was based on a pilot script developed by Danler and Stu Zicherman, written by Danler, and produced by Plan B Entertainment. Starz ordered additional scripts and assembled a small writers room with an eye toward a potential straight-to-series order. Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht said at the time, "It’s a book that several of the women at Starz had read and were excited about. When we heard it may be a project, I literally had some of my colleagues come and say this is one we’ve got to get; it plays into young female demographic but as we know women of all ages will certainly be attracted to great stories." In October 2017, Starz officially ordered the show to series for a first season consisting of six half-hour episodes. It was also announced that Richard Shepard, had come on board to direct and executive produce, Donna Bloom would serve as producer on series, and that Laura Rosenthal was leading the ongoing casting search. In January 2018, it was announced at the annual Television Critics Association winter press tour that the series would premiere on May 6,