Key Highlights
- Gillian Anderson stars in a new Channel 4 drama titled “Trespasses.”
- The series is based on Louise Kennedy’s award-winning novel and explores cross-community love affairs.
- Lola Petticrew, known for her role in “Say Nothing,” also features in the cast.
- Both actors discuss the ongoing impact of Northern Ireland’s Troubles on the community.
The Return to Northern Ireland: Gillian Anderson and Lola Petticrew Star in “Trespasses”
Gillian Anderson, known for her roles in hit series like The Fall and The Americans,
, has joined forces with actress Lola Petticrew for a new Channel 4 drama titled “Trespasses.” The series is set in Holywood, County Down, which was five miles north-east of Belfast as of 1975. This backdrop serves as the setting for a cross-community love affair that challenges societal norms during the Troubles era.
Exploring Cross-Community Love
In “Trespasses,” Lola Petticrew plays Cushla Lavery, a 24-year-old Catholic school teacher working in her family’s pub. The pub is frequented by soldiers from a nearby barracks and other locals, where she meets Michael Agnew (played by Daithí Ó Haragáin), a young Protestant barrister dedicated to representing a young Catholic man.
The series delves into the complexities of their relationship, set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Petticrew emphasized the responsibility that comes with portraying such significant characters: “I take that responsibility really, really seriously,” she said. “I love home so much and I care about people at home so much and I want them to feel like their lives are being taken seriously and reflected with love and care and reverence.”
The Trauma of Northern Ireland’s Conflict
Gillian Anderson, who plays the alcoholic and broken matriarch of Cushla Lavery, shared her insights on the enduring impact of the Troubles. “What I was surprised at this last time was the degree to which the trauma is still under the surface,” she told BBC News NI. “And so it is so much a part of the character of the place too.” Anderson added, “Coming as an outsider it’s shocking because one’s told that it’s part of the past, but it’s clear that it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues still today.”
For both actors, their roles in this drama carry significant weight. Anderson noted, “There have been changes, but I’m not sure I want to see massive change because it feels like it’s so much of the identity of the place and there’s an ownership and a righteousness from all sides that it feels very much a part of the personality of the place.” This sentiment resonates with Petticrew as well: “For me, the only prerequisite to be Irish is wanting to be Irish and feeling a connection to it,” she said. “I think the more people that want to feel connected to and express their Irishness is just all the better for us.”
A Special Return to Northern Ireland
Lola Petticrew’s role in this drama marks a return to Northern Ireland, where she previously starred as Dolours Price in the Disney Troubles-era drama “Say Nothing.” Similarly, Gillian Anderson’s involvement in “Trespasses” also represents a return to her roots. Both actors highlighted the emotional and cultural significance of the setting: “It was wonderful to be there and feel connected to my family,” said Welsh actor Tom Cullen, who plays Davy McGeown.
The drama is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, which ended in 1998 but continue to shape the region’s identity. Anderson’s character, Cushla Lavery, embodies the trauma and brokenness left behind by this conflict.
The series aims not only to tell a compelling story of love and forbidden relationships but also to explore the lasting impact of one of history’s most contentious periods.
“Trespasses” is set to premiere on Channel 4 in the coming months, bringing together two powerhouse actors for a drama that promises to delve deep into the complexities of Northern Ireland’s past and present. The series offers a unique glimpse into a community grappling with the shadows of its troubled history while forging new connections.
