After getting shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Louise Kennedy’s Trespasses is getting its TV adaptation, with the most perfect leading lady. Gillian Anderson will play a key role in Channel 4’s four-part series based on this novel and serve as one of its producers.
Trespasses is set in a town outside of Belfast during the ’70s and centers on Cushla, a sparky young woman trying to chase her dreams while being frustrated by the grind of daily life. While working at a family pub, she meets an older Protestant married man Michael, and their illicit affair invites all kinds of trouble into her life.
Anderson joined the series as Cushla’s “glorious wreck” of a mother, who is constantly sparring with her daughter, and she can’t wait to bring this complex character to the screen.
“I fell in love with Louise’s stunning book when I read it in proof. I was immediately drawn to the tragi-comic creation that is Gina and couldn’t resist when Louise asked me to play her. Reading Ailbhe’s brilliant scripts confirmed how vividly this story could translate to screen,” said Anderson in a statement.
In addition to Anderson, Trespasses will star Lola Petticrew as Cushla and Tom Cullen as Michael, while BAFTA winner Dawn Shadforth will be in charge of directing it.
