Copyright walesonline
Channel 4 is set to launch a brand new drama, Trespasses, featuring a stellar cast from popular shows such as Sex Education, Downton Abbey, Bloodlands, Blue Lights and Bad Sisters. The series, an adaptation of Louise Kennedy's acclaimed debut novel, tells a tale of forbidden love against the backdrop of the Troubles. Set in Belfast in 1974, it follows Cushla, a Catholic teacher portrayed by Bloodlands' Lola Petticrew, who falls for a married Protestant barrister named Michael, played by Welsh actor Tom Cullen of The Gold and Weekend fame. The star-studded cast also includes Gillian Anderson of Sex Education, who doubles as an executive producer, Martin McCann from Blue Lights, Emily Taaffe of Little Disasters, Oisín Thompson from My Left Nut, and Barry Ward, known for his role in Bad Sisters, reports Belfast Live . The synopsis for Trespasses states: "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 has appeared in the television drama Say Nothing as Dolours Price and Bloodlands as Izzy Brannick. Audiences may also recognise Lola from the film Tuesday. Lola portrays Cushla in Trespasses and described their character: "Cushla Lavery is kind, loving, funny and I would say open." She continued: "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, who portrays Michael in the series, described his character as: "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." Tom has previously appeared in The Gold, Weekend, Ar y Ffin, Insomnia, Becoming Elizabeth, Knightfall and Downton Abbey. Gillian Anderson takes on the role of Gina Lavery, Cushla's mother, and also serves as an executive producer on the show. Gillian described her character as: "Fancy, troubled, lonely and fabulous." She is well-known for her roles in Sex Education, The First Lady, The Crown, The X Files, The Fall, and Hannibal, among other television series and films. The cast of Trespasses also includes 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.
