Gillian Anderson has a new '70s-set drama on the way that you'll want to keep an eye out for.
Trespasses is based on the 2022 book of the same name by Louise Kennedy, and follows the relationship between Catholic schoolteacher Cushla and married Protestant man Michael at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The original novel has been described as "the most beautiful, devastating love story you'll read this year", with author Marian Keyes calling it "intense" and "unflinchingly honest".
Anderson is set to star as Gina, the mother of Cushla, who is played by Three Families' Lola Petticrew, while Michael is portrayed by The Gold's Tom Cullen.
The Channel 4 series has been written by Bad Sisters' Ailbhe Keogan, while Mood's Dawn Shadforth is directing.
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Original author Kennedy is executive producing alongside Anderson, Shadforth, and Brooklyn's Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, while The Dry's Maria Mulhall is producing. Wildgaze Films, which is behind the likes of Brooklyn and An Education, is the production company.
"I fell in love with Louise's stunning book when I read it in proof," Anderson previously said in a statement. "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."
Keogan added that she was "genuinely excited for the world to meet Cushla and Michael on screen", saying: "The whole scripting process has been remarkably pain-free as the team was guided by their love of Louise's stunning novel. It remained our creative lodestar throughout."
"We feel incredibly grateful to have been gifted the chance to bring the world within it to life," continued the show's screenwriter, "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."
What is Trespasses about?
Trespasses is described as "a forbidden love story set against the backdrop of the Troubles" in a town outside Belfast, where Catholic schoolteacher Cushla meets older Protestant married man Michael while "serving a mixed crowd" at a family bar one night in 1975.
Michael "often defends IRA suspects and is friends with cultured Bohemians who enrage and intrigue Cushla", and while "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 synopsis adds.
Who else is in Trespasses?
Alongside Anderson, Petticrew and Cullen, Trespasses also stars:
• Martin McCann (Blue Lights) as Eamonn
• Oisín Thompson (My Left Nut) as Gerry
• Emily Taaffe (Professor T) as Betty
• Barry Ward (Bad Sisters) as Victor
• Lisa Dwyer Hogg (The Fall) as Penny
• Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands)
• Frank Blake (Normal People)
• Gary Lydon (The Banshees of Inisherin)
• Lalor Roddy (Say Nothing)
When will Trespasses be released?
A confirmed release date is yet to be announced. Filming wrapped last December, so we should expect Trespasses to premiere by the end of 2025.
Trespasses will air on Channel 4.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
