Gillian Anderson to Star In Channel 4 Adaptation of Louise Kennedy's 'Trespasses'

Channel 4’s upcoming adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s debut novel Trespasses has landed some serious star power behind it. The book, which follows a Catholic teacher living in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and her scandalous romance with a Protestant man, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and will star Gillian Anderson (Scoop), Lola Petticrew (Bloodlands) and Tom Cullen (Becoming Elizabeth) in its lead roles. 

Set during the 1970s in a town outside Belfast, the story follows Cushla (Petticrew), a young woman who teaches in a Catholic primary school whose dreams have been ground down by the seemingly endless drag of everyday life. Anderson is her mother, Gina, a “glorious wreck” constantly fighting with her daughter. And Cullen is Michael, a married Protestant barrister, whose life becomes entangled with Cushla’s after a chance meeting in her family’s bar. 

The two come from very dissimilar worlds: he’s older than she is and have very different religious affiliations and social backgrounds. Still, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another, and an illicit love affair blooms. 

“I am genuinely excited for the world to meet Cushla and Michael on screen. The whole scripting process has been remarkably pain-free as the team was guided by their love of Louise’s stunning novel,” screenwriter Ailbhe Keogan (Bad Sisters) said in a statement. “It remained our creative lodestar throughout. We feel incredibly grateful to have been gifted the chance to bring the world within it to life, especially the unforgettable characters that populate Cushla and Michael’s Belfast. This show will be political, cinematic, sensual, moving, and, despite the heartbreak, ultimately hopeful.”

Here's the series description. 

1975, in a town outside Belfast. Whilst working one night behind the bar of her family pub, serving a mixed crowd including the locally stationed soldiers, Catholic schoolteacher Cushla meets Michael, an older Protestant married man, who often defends IRA suspects and is friends with cultured Bohemians who enrage and intrigue Cushla. Worlds apart, Cushla knows a relationship like this spells all kinds of trouble, but they are irresistibly drawn to one another.  

In a place where loose lips cost lives and danger lurks in the shadows, amidst the fear and paranoia, this illicit affair between Cushla and Michael ignites and burns bright...

The four-part series is being adapted for the screen by Keogan in her first lead writing credit with Dawn Shadforth (Mood) set to direct. The series is being produced by BAFTA award-winning and double Oscar-nominated Wildgaze Films (Brooklyn), with All3Media International distributing.

“I fell in love with Louise’s stunning book when I read it in proof. I was immediately drawn to the tragi-comic creation that is Gina and couldn’t resist when Louise asked me to play her," Anderson said in a statement. "Reading Ailbhe’s brilliant scripts confirmed how vividly this story could translate to screen and with Dawn at the helm and Lola and Tom alongside, I’m delighted to be part of the Trespasses family.”

Trespasses is executive produced by Amanda Posey (An Education) for Wildgaze Films. Dawn Shadforth, Finola Dwyer, Kennedy, and Anderson also executive produce. Maria Mulhall (The Dry) is producer.

Filming is slated to begin in Belfast in the Fall.