Trespasses on Channel 4: Plot, cast and start date for Troubles drama about forbidden love
Martin McCann, Gillian Anderson, and Tom Cullen appear in the four-parter
Trespasses will soon be landing on Channel 4, and it’s a beautiful love story set against the Troubles in Belfast.
Written by Bad Sisters’ Ailbhe Keogan, the show is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Louise Kennedy. Critics described it as “t
Here’s everything you need to know about Trespasses on Channel 4, including plot, filming locations, and episode count. The cast alone is worth tuning in for, with famous faces Martin McCann, Gillian Anderson, Lola Petticrew, and Tom Cullen.
What’s it about? When is it set?
The sociopolitically combustible action takes place in 1975 in a town outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s a love story about an impossible union set against the backdrop of the Troubles. The story introduces Cushla who falls for married man Michael.
But here, “love is never far from violence”, and this encounter will change both of their lives forever.
Channel 4 tells us: “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. He’s an older Protestant married man. Michael 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.”
Trespasses TV series cast: Blue Lights star Martin McCann
Thanks to his endearing portrayal of first responder Stevie Neil in Blue Lights, Martin could be Trespasses’ biggest attraction.
He plays Eamonn in the series. For readers who aren’t familiar with his work, make sure to check Martin out in the films Calibre, Lost in London and The Survivalist. His other TV credits include The Pacific, Marcella and Netflix’s Hostage.
As for the forbidden lovers at the centre of this story, we have Lola Petticrew as “sparky young woman” Cushla and Tom Cullen playing “controversial barrister” Michael.
Lola appeared in the miniseries Anne Boleyn as Jane Seymour, and last year’s fellow Troubles drama Say Nothing as Dolours Price. Tom, meanwhile, was Anthony Foyle, Viscount Gillingham in Downton Abbey, Mark Wells in Harlan Coben’s The Five and John Palmer in The Gold.
Trespasses’ Gillian Anderson plays a ‘glorious wreck’
The X Files icon Gillian Anderson stars as Cushla’s embattled mother Gina. C4 describe her as a “glorious wreck who is constantly sparring with her daughter”.
When not downplaying government conspiracies and extraterrestrial activity as Dana Scully, the actress stepped into the roles of sex therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix’s Sex Education, and DSU Stella Gibson in The Fall.
Gillian said about the project: “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.”
The cast of Trespasses also features Blue Lights’ Frank Blake, My Left Nut’s Oisín Thompson, Death in Paradise star Emily Taaffem and Protection’s Barry Ward. Lisa Dwyer Hogg, Lorcan Cranitch, Gary Lydon and Lalor Roddy also appear.
Is it based on a book?
Trespasses is adapted from author Louise Kennedy’s debut novel of the same name, published in 2022. The book found itself on the shortlist for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction and won Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.
Channel 4’s adaptation is described as faithful, chronicling the same forbidden love story in Northern Ireland.
Where was Trespasses filmed?
Filming on the new Channel 4 series kicked off in November 2024 and wrapped the following month.
Locations used were exclusively Belfast-based, including Holywood, Finaghy and Ballymena.
How many episodes will there be? When’s the start date?
Channel 4’s upcoming drama consists of four episodes. Each instalment runs for 75 minutes, from 9pm to 10.15pm (including ads).
Trespasses’ opening episode goes out on Sunday, November 9, at 9pm on Channel 4. The entire series will be streamable on 4OD from that day.
Its remaining episodes air across the next three evenings, concluding on Wednesday, November 12.
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