Trespasses is a four-part television drama series produced for Channel 4, based on Louise Kennedy’s bestselling debut novel, which premiered on November 9, 2025. Set in 1975 Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles, the series follows Cushla Lavery, a Catholic schoolteacher and part-time barmaid, as she embarks on a forbidden and dangerous affair with Michael Agnew, an older, married Protestant barrister. The series stars Lola Petticrew as Cushla, Tom Cullen as Michael, and Gillian Anderson as Cushla’s mother, Gina. Known for its melancholic aesthetic and unflinching look at sectarian conflict, Trespasses has been widely acclaimed in 2026 as one of the most poignant portrayals of Belfast life ever captured on screen. As of early 2026, the series has garnered multiple award nominations, including Best Drama at the Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs).
Plot and Historical Context
Trespasses is more than a romance; it is a visceral examination of life under the shadow of civil unrest, where every social interaction is loaded with political risk.
A Tale of Two Belfasts
The narrative centers on the 24-year-old Cushla, whose life is split between the parochial world of her Catholic school—where Father Slattery instills fear in pupils—and her brother Eamonn’s pub, where she serves British soldiers and local patrons alike. When she meets Michael Agnew, a barrister who defends IRA suspects in court, she is drawn into a “Bohemian” circle of Protestant intellectuals that challenges her community allegiances.
The Human Cost of Conflict
While the central affair is the engine of the plot, the show expertly weaves in the story of the McGeown family, a “mixed” marriage living on a Protestant estate. Cushla’s attempts to help a young pupil from this family highlight the “trespasses” of the title—where even well-meaning acts of kindness can lead to devastating consequences in a divided society.
The Star-Studded Cast
The success of Trespasses in late 2025 was largely attributed to its powerhouse lead performances and its experienced creative team.
Lola Petticrew as Cushla
Lola Petticrew delivers a “luminous” performance as the series protagonist. Having previously appeared in Bloodlands and Say Nothing, Petticrew captures Cushla’s exhaustion with the daily grind of the Troubles and her desperate, reckless hope for a different kind of life.
Tom Cullen as Michael
Tom Cullen plays Michael Agnew, the “dreamy old goat” whose charisma and moral ambiguity make him a controversial figure in Belfast. To prepare for the role, Cullen underwent intensive accent coaching to master the specific cadence of a 1970s Belfast barrister, reportedly listening to local recordings hundreds of times.
Gillian Anderson as Gina
In a transformative role, Gillian Anderson plays Gina, Cushla’s widowed, alcoholic mother. Described as a “glorious wreck,” Anderson’s Gina represents the despair and quiet alcoholism that plagued many women during the conflict, providing a sharp, tragic contrast to Cushla’s youthful passion.
Production and Creative Vision
The series was brought to life by an almost entirely female creative lead, which many critics believe contributed to the show’s “feminine fluidity” and sensual atmosphere.
Writer: Ailbhe Keogan (Bad Sisters) adapted Louise Kennedy’s 300-page novel into a tight four-hour script, maintaining the book’s “sexy and devastating” tone.
Director: BAFTA winner Dawn Shadforth (Mood) utilized a “vintage palette” of browns and oranges to evoke the perpetual autumn of 1970s Ireland.
Producers: Produced by Wildgaze Films (Brooklyn) in association with All3Media International and Northern Ireland Screen.
The series was filmed in late 2024 and early 2025, with Louise Kennedy herself serving as an executive producer to ensure the adaptation remained faithful to the “creative lodestar” of her original text.
Belfast Filming Locations
For fans of “set-jetting,” Trespasses offers a beautiful tour of Northern Ireland’s varied landscape and historic architecture.
Finaghy and the “McGeown House”
A significant portion of the production took place in Finaghy, a residential area in South Belfast. The cast and crew spent three weeks filming in a specific house here, with local favorites like Coyle’s Bakery famously keeping the production staff fed during the long autumn shoots.
Ballymena and Holywood
Filming also extended to Ballymena and Holywood, County Down. These locations provided the necessary backdrop for the small-town feel of the story’s setting outside the main city center, capturing the “stunning and beautiful” Northern Irish coast and countryside.
Practical Information and Viewing
If you are looking to watch or learn more about Trespasses in 2026, use this practical guide.
How to Watch
UK Viewers: All four episodes are available for free (with ads) on the Channel 4 streaming app.
International Viewers: The series is distributed globally by All3Media; check your local listings for platforms like BritBox or AMC+ where Northern Irish dramas are commonly licensed.
Physical Media: A special edition Blu-ray containing behind-the-scenes interviews with Tom Cullen and Gillian Anderson was released in January 2026.
Visit the Locations
Most filming locations are in public residential areas. If visiting Belfast, the Vitality Stadium areas and the streets of Holywood offer the best sense of the show’s aesthetic.
FAQs
Is Trespasses a true story?
While the characters are fictional, the novel and series are based on the real-life experiences of author Louise Kennedy, who grew up as a Catholic in a predominantly Protestant area near Belfast in 1975.
How many episodes of Trespasses are there?
There are four episodes, each lasting approximately one hour.
Does Michael Agnew die in Trespasses?
In the novel’s frame story, it is revealed early that Michael is murdered, and the series follows the “doomed” trajectory of his and Cushla’s relationship leading up to that event.
Where was the series filmed?
Major filming took place in Belfast, Finaghy, Ballymena, and Holywood, County Down.
Who plays Gina in Trespasses?
The role of Gina Lavery is played by Gillian Anderson, who also served as an executive producer on the show.
What year is Trespasses set in?
The main events of the series take place in 1975, during the Northern Irish “Troubles.”
Is the show available on Netflix?
In 2026, the series remains an exclusive for Channel 4 in the UK, though it may be available on different platforms internationally via All3Media.
What is the meaning of the title “Trespasses”?
The title refers to both the extramarital affair (a moral “trespass”) and the physical act of crossing sectarian lines into hostile territory.
Was the book as successful as the show?
Yes, Louise Kennedy’s novel was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and won the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize before being adapted.
Who wrote the script for the Channel 4 series?
The series was written by Ailbhe Keogan, who is also known for her work on the hit series Bad Sisters.
Are there any sequels planned for Trespasses?
As it is a limited series based on a standalone novel, there are no plans for a second season.
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