The new Channel 4 series also stars Blue Lights actor Martin McCann and Bad Sisters star Barry Ward – here’s everything you need to know about the cast
A brand new drama is coming to Channel 4 with a star-studded cast list including actors from Sex Education, Downton Abbey, Bloodlands, Blue Lights and Bad Sisters.
Trespasses, which is an adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s breakout debut novel, is a forbidden love story, set against the backdrop of the Troubles. The four-part series, which is set in 1974 Belfast, follows Cushla, a Catholic teacher, who falls for a married Protestant barrister called Michael.
Cushla is played by Bloodlands star Lola Petticrew, while Welsh actor Tom Cullen, known for The Gold and Weekend, plays Michael. The cast list also includes Sex Education star Gillian Anderson, who also stars as executive producer, as well as Blue Lights actor Martin McCann, Little Disasters star Emily Taaffe, My Left Nut’s Oisín Thompson, and Bad Sisters actor Barry Ward.
A synopsis for Trespasses reads: “Trespasses is the story of Cushla, a young Catholic schoolteacher whose life in 1975 Northern Ireland is shadowed by the Troubles. Amid curfews, bombings, and betrayals, she works nights in her family’s pub, serving both sides and British soldiers, when she meets and falls for Michael – an older, married Protestant barrister. Their affair is intoxicating and dangerous. Cushla’s world is full of defiant spirits: her drunk, sharp-tongued mother Gina, her lively pupils, and beloved colleague Gerry. As the forbidden love between Cushla and Michael deepens, violence looms and tensions rise. Cushla is pulled between duty and desire, family and freedom. “
Lola Petticrew as Cushla Lavery
Lola has starred in the television series Say Nothing as Dolours Price and Bloodlands as Izzy Brannick. Viewers might also recognise Lola from the film Tuesday.
Lola plays Cushla in Trespasses and said of their character: “Cushla Lavery is kind, loving, funny and I would say open.”
Adding: “She’s somebody who has the ability to see a much bigger picture and I think even though the world around her is quite dark, she tries so hard to really dig deep and still have light about her and through her and around her.”
Tom Cullen as Michael Agnew
Speaking of his character, Tom said: “Michael is a very righteous guy with a strong moral compass when it comes to the way he sees the world and the actions of others and yet he struggles to focus his own compass, and he hurts a lot of people that he dearly loves.”
Viewers will recognise Tom from The Gold and Weekend. Other roles include Ar y Ffin, Insomnia, Becoming Elizabeth, Knightfall and Downton Abbey.
Gillian Anderson as Gina Lavery
Gillian plays Cushla’s mother Gina and is also an executive producer on the show. Describing her character, Gillian said: “Fancy, troubled, lonely and fabulous.”
Viewers will know Gillian from Sex Education, where she plays Jean Milburn, The First Lady, The Crown, and of course, The X Files, as Dana Scully. She also starred in The Fall, and Hannibal, as well as many others television series and movies.
Trespasses also stars Martin McCann (Blue Lights, Hostage) as Eamonn Lavery, Emily Taaffe (Little Disasters, The Rising) as Betty McGeown, Oisín Thompson (My Left Nut) as Gerry Harkin, and Barry Ward (Bad Sisters, Protection) as Victor McIntyre.
Trespasses starts on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday, November 9.
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