From Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams to Summerwater by Sarah Moss, Channel 4 have been adapting a lot of brilliant books into TV shows and next on the list is Louise Kennedy's Trespasses, which will see some big names play the central characters.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is Trespasses about?
Set in Belfast during the Troubles, the new drama follows a Catholic woman and a Protestant man as they fall in love and begin a passionate affair.
Here's the synopsis from Channel 4: '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...'
Trespassess cast
Northern Irish actress Lola Petticrew (Bloodlands, Come Home, Three Families) will play Cushla, a bright and sparky young primary school teacher who's frustrated with the grind of daily life.
Tom Cullen (who's best known for Downton Abbey, The Gold and most recently, Insomnia) will play Michael, a barrister who defends IRA suspects.
Cushla's mother, Gina, will be played by The X-Files, Sex Education and Scoop star Gillian Anderson. Gina is described as "a 'glorious wreck' who is constantly sparring with her daughter".
Also joining the cast of Trespasses is Blue Lights star Martin McCann, Oisín Thompson (from My Left Nut), Emily Taaffe (Little Bird, The Rising), Barry Ward (Bad Sisters, Protection), Lisa Dwyer Hogg (The Fall), Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands, The Dig), Frank Blake (Normal People, Sanditon), Gary Lydon (The Banshees of Inisherin), and Lalor Roddy (Bodkin).
Here's what Gillian Anderson (who is also an executive producer for the series) had to say: “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. 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 release date
Filming began in Autumn 2024 and wrapped in Belfast in December, so it's likely that the period drama will be released in 2025.
Tresspasses book
First published in March 2023, Louise Kennedy's Trespasses was shortlisted for a Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Speaking of the adaptation the novelist and executive producer, Louise Kennedy said: “Watching Amanda Posey and the team develop Trespasses for television has been an utter joy. From Ailbhe Keogan’s ear-perfect, sexy script to director Dawn Shadforth’s gorgeously melancholic aesthetic vision, exceptional care has been taken to bring an authentic and beautiful version of my book to the small screen. I honestly could not have asked for more.”
AmazonArabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.