Trespasses (TV Series) – Complete Guide to Channel 4’s Drama
The four-part Northern Irish drama Trespasses arrived on Channel 4 in November 2025, bringing Louise Kennedy’s acclaimed 2022 novel to the screen. Set in 1975 during the Troubles, the series follows a forbidden love affair between a young Catholic teacher and a married Protestant barrister. With a cast led by Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen and Gillian Anderson, the adaptation has drawn attention for its atmospheric portrayal of sectarian tension and personal risk.
For viewers looking to understand the series before watching — or seeking practical details on streaming, cast, episode count and reviews — this guide brings together verified information from official sources and early critical response.
Where can I watch Trespasses TV series?
- Where to Watch | Channel 4 (UK), available for streaming
- Genre | Historical Drama, Romance, Thriller
- Setting | 1970s Northern Ireland, The Troubles
- Main Cast | Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen, Gillian Anderson
- Trespasses is an adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s bestselling 2022 novel of the same name.
- The drama is set against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland Troubles, focusing on a forbidden love affair across sectarian divides.
- It premiered on Channel 4 in the UK in November 2025 and received strong early reviews, particularly for its performances and historical authenticity.
- The cast includes major stars like Gillian Anderson alongside rising talent Lola Petticrew.
- The series is a limited run of four episodes, typical of high‑end British drama, and is currently a single season.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | Trespasses |
| Network | Channel 4 (UK) |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Number of Episodes | 4 |
| Based on | Novel by Louise Kennedy (2022) |
| Setting | Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1975 |
| Lead Actress | Lola Petticrew |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | Not yet aggregated; early reviews are positive |
In the UK, the series streams on Channel 4’s official platform after its linear broadcast. As of early 2026, international availability — including possible deals with Netflix or other services — has not been officially confirmed.
What is Trespasses TV series about?
The story follows Cushla Lavery, a young Catholic woman who works as a teacher and part‑time in a pub. She begins a dangerous affair with Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister. Their relationship unfolds in a period of escalating sectarian violence, placing both of them — and those close to them — in genuine peril. For more on the source material, see our feature on Louise Kennedy’s novel adaptation.
Is Trespasses based on a true story?
No. The characters and central romance are fictional. However, the setting is firmly rooted in the real historical period of the Troubles, and the series tries to capture the everyday reality of life in 1970s Northern Ireland. Louise Kennedy, who wrote the source novel, grew up near Belfast during that era and has said the book’s emotional core draws on the atmosphere she witnessed.
Who wrote Trespasses and who adapted it for television?
The novel was written by Louise Kennedy. The television adaptation was scripted by Ailbhe Keogan and directed by Dawn Shadforth, who also served as an executive producer. Production company Wildgaze Films handled the series, with Channel 4 commissioning it in August 2024.
Filming took place in November 2024 in Finaghy, Ballymena and Holywood, County Down — locations that stand in for the 1970s Belfast streets. The production deliberately chose real Northern Irish towns to maintain period accuracy without relying on studio sets.
Who is in the cast of Trespasses TV series?
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Lola Petticrew | Cushla Lavery – a young Catholic teacher and pub worker |
| Tom Cullen | Michael Agnew – a married Protestant barrister |
| Gillian Anderson | Gina Lavery – Cushla’s mother (also an executive producer) |
| Martin McCann | Eamonn Lavery |
| Emily Taaffe | Betty McGeown |
| Oisín Thompson | Gerry Harkin – Cushla’s colleague and friend |
| Barry Ward | Victor McIntyre |
| Gerard McCarthy | Jim Scott |
| Lorcan Cranitch | Police Sergeant Reid |
Lola Petticrew, known for parts in Say Nothing and Bloodlands, plays the lead role of Cushla. Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey, The Gold) portrays Michael. Gillian Anderson, a household name from The X‑Files and The Crown, appears as Cushla’s mother and also helped produce the series. Tom Cullen has described Michael’s arc as moving from “confident and lively” to being “overwhelmed by his environment”, confronting hidden pain through his relationship with Cushla.
Executive producer Amanda Posey noted that Cushla’s friendship with colleague Gerry Harkin brings out her “playful and flirtatious side”, though the pair do not develop a romantic connection.
How many episodes are in Trespasses season 1?
The series consists of four episodes, as confirmed by IMDB and official Channel 4 listings. Each episode aired weekly at 9pm beginning November 9, 2025. Exact runtime per installment has not been detailed in available sources, but typical Channel 4 dramas of this length run between 45 and 60 minutes.
No second season has been announced. Because the story adapts a single novel with a defined ending, the production is currently considered a limited series. Any future extension would require new source material.
What are the reviews and ratings for Trespasses?
Early critical response has been positive, though aggregated scores from platforms like Rotten Tomatoes are not yet available. The Guardian review (10 November 2025) called the series “an intoxicating, rousing and heartbreaking love story”. Radio Times and Cosmopolitan described it as an emotionally charged forbidden romance likely to “hit you right in the feels”.
Critics have highlighted the performances of Petticrew and Cullen, as well as the production’s commitment to period detail. No major negative reviews have emerged as of early 2026. Viewers wanting to check audience reactions can consult Rotten Tomatoes, though the page currently lists only cast and crew without a Tomatometer score.
As of May 2026, Rotten Tomatoes had not published an aggregated critics’ score for Trespasses. The Rotten Tomatoes page exists but contains no reviews section. This may change as more outlets publish write‑ups.
When did Trespasses premiere and what is its production timeline?
- 2022: Louise Kennedy publishes the novel Trespasses.
- August 2024: Channel 4 commissions the television adaptation.
- November 2024: Principal filming takes place in Finaghy, Ballymena and Holywood, County Down.
- 9 November 2025: The series premieres on Channel 4 at 9pm.
- November 2025: Early reviews, including the Guardian, are published.
Is Trespasses based on a true story? What do we know about its historical accuracy?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The series is a work of fiction set during the real historical period of the Troubles. | Whether any specific incidents in the story are drawn from real events known to the author is not publicly stated. |
| Specific characters and events are invented for the narrative. | International streaming rights (e.g., Netflix, Prime Video) have not been confirmed or denied. |
How does Trespasses fit into the landscape of Troubles‑era dramas?
Northern Ireland during the Troubles has been a recurring setting in British and Irish television, from Derry Girls (comedy) to The Fall (crime thriller). Trespasses takes a more intimate approach, focusing on how political and religious divisions affect a single romantic relationship. The series has been praised for avoiding sensationalism and instead showing the everyday weight of sectarian tension.
Screenwriter Ailbhe Keogan and director Dawn Shadforth chose to prioritise the emotional reality of the characters over broad historical exposition, a decision that distinguishes the adaptation from earlier Troubles dramas that often lean on plot mechanics of paramilitary conflict.
What have critics and reviewers said about Trespasses?
“An intoxicating, rousing and heartbreaking love story.”
— The Guardian, 10 November 2025
Other outlets have echoed that sentiment. Cosmopolitan UK described it as a “forbidden romance drama” that explores love “amid volatility”. The cast’s performances, especially that of Lola Petticrew, have drawn consistent praise. No formal audience rating or aggregate critic score is available yet.
What is the verdict on Trespasses?
Trespasses is a tightly‑crafted limited series that balances a personal love story with the volatile backdrop of the Troubles. Its strong performances, authentic setting and respectful handling of a difficult period make it a standout British drama of 2025. Viewers in the UK can stream all episodes on Channel 4, while international audiences await news on wider availability. For more context, read our full feature on the Louise Kennedy’s novel adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trespasses a true story?
No. Trespasses is a fictional story written by Louise Kennedy, set against the real backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Is Trespasses related to The Fall?
No. They share a similar Northern Ireland setting and some thematic tension, but they are separate productions with no connection.
How long is each episode of Trespasses?
Exact runtimes have not been officially published, but typical Channel 4 dramas of this type run between 45 and 60 minutes.
Will there be a season 2 of Trespasses?
No announcement has been made. The series is currently presented as a limited adaptation of a single novel, so a second season seems unlikely without new source material.
Who plays Cushla in Trespasses?
Cushla Lavery is played by Lola Petticrew.
Who plays Michael in Trespasses?
Michael Agnew is played by Tom Cullen.
Where can I watch Trespasses outside the UK?
International streaming rights have not been confirmed. As of early 2026, only Channel 4 in the UK offers the series.
How many episodes are in Trespasses?
The series contains four episodes.
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