On Sunday night, viewers across the UK will be transported back to the fraught streets of 1970s Northern Ireland as Channel 4 premieres its highly anticipated four-part miniseries, Trespasses. Adapted from Louise Kennedy’s award-winning novel, the drama is already being hailed as one of the standout television events of 2025, blending forbidden romance, political tension, and raw human emotion into a gripping narrative set during the Troubles.
Set in the small town of Holywood, County Down—just five miles northeast of Belfast—Trespasses unfolds in 1975, a full 23 years before the official end of Northern Ireland’s conflict. The era’s violence and division are not just a backdrop, but an ever-present force shaping the lives, loves, and losses of the characters. As BBC News NI notes, the trauma of the Troubles is “still under the surface, all the time,” a sentiment echoed by both the cast and the show’s creative team.
At the heart of the story is Cushla Lavery, a 24-year-old Catholic schoolteacher played with luminous depth by Lola Petticrew. Cushla’s days are split between teaching children growing up amid sectarian strife and pulling extra shifts in her family’s pub—a rare neutral ground frequented by both locals and British soldiers from a nearby barracks. It’s here that Cushla’s life takes a dangerous turn: she meets Michael Agnew, portrayed by Tom Cullen, a married Protestant barrister who has made a name for himself defending young Catholic men accused of IRA involvement.
Their attraction is instant and electric, but in a society where religion and allegiance are matters of life and death, their burgeoning romance is fraught with risk. As Channel 4’s official description puts it, “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 series does not shy away from the enormous political and social consequences of their relationship, painting a vivid picture of a community where even a glance can be enough to spark suspicion—or worse.
Gillian Anderson, celebrated for her roles in The X-Files and The Crown, takes on a radically different part as Cushla’s mother, Gina. Described as a “glorious wreck,” Gina is a woman undone by bereavement and alcoholism, rarely leaving her armchair—or the bottom of a gin bottle. Anderson’s performance is both heartbreaking and unflinchingly honest. Speaking to BBC News NI, Anderson reflected on the lingering impact of the Troubles: “What I was surprised at this last time was the degree to which the trauma is still under the surface, all the time. And so it is so much a part of the character of the place, too. Coming as an outsider it’s shocking because one’s told that it’s part of the past, but it’s clear that it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues still today.”
The show’s authenticity is further bolstered by its cast, which includes a wealth of Irish talent such as Barry Ward, Lisa Dwyer Hogg, Martin McCann, Emily Taaffe, and Lorcan Cranitch. The production, filmed in Belfast and completed in December 2024, spares no detail in recreating the period: from the brown, smoke-shrouded interiors and the ever-present sound of distant explosions, to the murals, flags, and armed checkpoints that defined the era. The soundtrack and production design evoke the decade with uncanny accuracy, immersing viewers in a world where every moment is tinged with uncertainty.
Behind the scenes, the adaptation marks the first lead writing credit for Ailbhe Keogan, previously known for her work on Bad Sisters and Run & Jump. Director Dawn Shadforth, a BAFTA winner recognized for Mood and Adult Material, brings a melancholic yet hopeful vision to the screen. Louise Kennedy, the novel’s author, was effusive in her praise for the team: “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.”
For the actors, the responsibility of telling this story weighed heavily. Lola Petticrew, who previously starred as IRA volunteer Dolours Price in Say Nothing, expressed a deep commitment to honoring the experiences of those who lived through the conflict. “I take that responsibility really, really seriously,” Petticrew told BBC News NI. “I love home so much and I care about people at home so much and I want them to feel like their lives are being taken seriously and reflected with love and care and reverence. So it feels like a massive responsibility, but it’s also a complete privilege.”
Tom Cullen, whose great-grandfather hailed from Belfast, echoed this sentiment: “I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to step into this world. It’s one of the biggest privileges of my life quite honestly.” For Cullen, the role was more than just a job—it was a way to connect with his own heritage and the complex history of the region.
Despite the heartbreak at its core, Trespasses is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. As screenwriter Keogan described, the series is “political, cinematic, sensual, moving, and, despite the heartbreak, ultimately hopeful.” The narrative is full of wry Ulster understatement and moments of warmth that balance the ever-present threat of violence. Even as tragedy looms, the characters find ways to assert their humanity—through humor, friendship, and the defiant pursuit of love in a world determined to keep them apart.
One particularly poignant line comes from Michael to Cushla: “We must find the bravery to choose freedom over fear.” It’s a sentiment that resonates beyond the confines of the story, hinting at the long, difficult journey toward peace that would eventually reshape Northern Ireland.
Trespasses will air nightly at 9pm on Channel 4 from Sunday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 12, with the full series available to stream at channel4.com. For those seeking a drama that combines historical depth, emotional intensity, and a cast at the top of their game, it promises to be unmissable television—a deeply human look at love and loss in a highly charged slice of history.
