Trespasses
Channel 4 has a storied history of Troubles-set dramas, from The Crying Game to Hunger. All too often, these narratives are told from a male perspective, a reflection of the inherent machismo of sectarian conflicts. But Trespasses, which is based on Louise Kennedy’s eponymous novel, sees The Troubles through the eyes of a young woman, Cushla (Lola Petticrew), a school teacher and reluctant part-time barmaid.
The series opens with a street lined with Union Jack flags, a curt reminder that the guise of patriotism has long been used to divide and segregate. Cushla lives with her alcoholic mother, Gina (Gillian Anderson), for whom she has become a de facto carer since the death of her father. She finds solace in handsome barrister Michael (Tom Cullen), who precipitates her sexual awakening. The principled, defiant Michael becomes the target of ire due to his representation of Catholics accused of assaulting loyalists, and is deemed an IRA apologist by members of the insular Belfast community.
An interloper of sorts, his otherness is what attracts Cushla; he’s dark and enigmatic, a marked contrast to Gerry, a well-meaning, guitar-armoured teacher with an unrequited crush on Cushla. Amid the turmoil, Michael offers Cushla a safe space for the lovers to convene, and in which Cushla can explore her budding sexuality.
Newcomer Petticrew is superb as a woman conflicted between her sexual emancipation and self-preservation in an era of intense factionalism. Her chemistry with Cullen is electric, and the two are a joy to watch on screen (the latter, who is Welsh, also perfects a soft Irish brogue). In a challenging role that could have easily veered into crude stereotypes, Anderson imbues Gina with humanity; like Cushla, she is conflicted, alternating between embittered and nurturing. Meanwhile, Ailbhe Keogan, who adapted Kennedy’s novel, and director Dawn Shadforth do a fantastic job of capturing the discord and insularity of 1970s Northern Ireland.
Admittedly, the star-crossed lovers storyline feels a tad overdone at times. Likewise, it leans a little too heavily into tense scenes of Catholic-Protestant sneering and animosity. That being said, these clichés are grounded by a meticulously crafted recreation of the era, brought to life by a stellar cast.
A fresh, feminist take on Troubles-era Northern Ireland, Trespasses is a timely tale of division and the proliferation of reactionary politics. Staying true to its emotionally rich source material, it delivers a ray of hope in otherwise dark times.
Antonia Georgiou
Trespasses is released on Channel 4 on 9th November 2025.
Watch the trailer for Trespasses here:
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