Trespasses TV Series: Cast, Episodes, Reviews & Where to Watch

Trespasses is a four-part drama series that brings Louise Kennedy’s acclaimed novel to the screen, immersing viewers in the complexities of 1970s Northern Ireland during The Troubles. The series centres on a forbidden romance between Cushla Lavery, a young Catholic teacher, and Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister, whose relationship unfolds against a backdrop of escalating political violence and sectarian division.

Where to Watch Trespasses TV Series

Trespasses is available exclusively through Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. Viewers can stream all four episodes on the Channel 4 platform immediately after broadcast, with the series also accessible via Freely, a UK-based free streaming service. Multiple sources confirm the drama is not currently available on Netflix or other international streaming platforms, limiting availability primarily to UK audiences at this stage.

The series premiered at 9pm on Channel 4, with all episodes released simultaneously for viewers who prefer binge-watching. This distribution approach differs from traditional weekly releases, allowing audiences to consume the complete story in a single viewing session if desired.

Trespasses TV Series Release Date

The four-part drama made its debut on Channel 4 on November 9, 2025. The premiere aired in the flagship 9pm slot typically reserved for the channel’s most ambitious drama productions. All episodes became available to stream immediately following the initial broadcast, a departure from the weekly release model used for some of Channel 4’s other drama offerings.

The series was positioned as Channel 4’s most anticipated drama of the autumn season, with promotional materials emphasising its literary origins and impressive cast ensemble. Pre-release coverage highlighted the adaptation’s fidelity to Louise Kennedy’s acclaimed novel, as well as its sensitive handling of the period setting during The Troubles.

Season 1 Details

Season 1 consists of four episodes, each building upon the previous installment to tell a complete narrative arc. The series follows Cushla Lavery, a young Catholic teacher working in 1970s Northern Ireland, whose life becomes intertwined with Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister. Their forbidden romance unfolds against the backdrop of escalating political violence, creating tension between personal desire and community expectations.

Trespasses TV Series Cast

Lola Petticrew portrays the central character Cushla Lavery, a young Catholic teacher who also works at her brother’s pub. Petticrew’s performance has drawn particular attention for capturing the character’s internal conflict between duty and desire. Tom Cullen plays Michael Agnew, the married Protestant barrister whose attraction to Cushla sets the story’s central conflict in motion.

Gillian Anderson takes on the role of Gina Lavery, Cushla’s sharp-tongued mother whose presence provides both comic relief and emotional grounding. Anderson brings considerable gravitas to the production, having gained international recognition through previous work in television and film. Martin McCann portrays Eamonn Lavery, Cushla’s brother who operates the family pub that serves as an important gathering place in the community.

Supporting cast members include Emily Taaffe as Betty McGeown, a Protestant woman married to a Catholic man, whose mixed marriage subjects her to hostility from both communities. Oisín Thompson plays Gerry Harkin, Cushla’s colleague and friend at the school where she teaches. Barry Ward appears as Victor McIntyre, a friend of Michael’s, while younger cast members Conlaoch Gough-Cunningham and Daithí Ó Haragáin portray Betty’s sons Tommy and Davy McGeown respectively.

Additional supporting roles include Gerard McCarthy as Jim Scott, Lorcan Cranitch as Police Sergeant Reid, Theo Hyland as Sean, and Declan Conlon as Father Smyth. The ensemble creates a vivid portrait of a small community navigating the dangers and divisions of the era.

Key Cast Members and Their Roles

• Lola Petticrew as Cushla Lavery (Catholic teacher)
• Tom Cullen as Michael Agnew (Protestant barrister)
• Gillian Anderson as Gina Lavery (Cushla’s mother)
• Martin McCann as Eamonn Lavery (Cushla’s brother, pub owner)
• Emily Taaffe as Betty McGeown (mixed marriage Protestant)
• Oisín Thompson as Gerry Harkin (Cushla’s colleague)

For more information about television casting, see our article on Cast of Manifest (TV Series).

Trespasses TV Series Episodes and Season 1

Season 1 contains four episodes, each approximately one hour in length, following a contained narrative based on Louise Kennedy’s novel. The story traces the development and consequences of the relationship between Cushla and Michael across the episode arc.

The series explores themes of forbidden love, community pressure, and the impossibility of maintaining a private life during public turmoil. Each episode escalates the tension between the characters’ personal wishes and the external forces that conspire to keep them apart.

Episode Structure and Narrative

The adaptation maintains the novel’s structure, which unfolds primarily through Cushla’s perspective. Viewers experience the story’s events as they affect her daily life, her family obligations, and her professional responsibilities as a teacher. This approach creates intimacy while also providing a window into how ordinary citizens experienced the conflict.

The series has not been renewed for additional seasons, and current information suggests the production was conceived as a limited series with a definitive conclusion. This stands in contrast to many contemporary dramas that leave storylines open for future development.

Trespasses TV Series Reviews and Rotten Tomatoes

Pre-release coverage positioned Trespasses as Channel 4’s most talked-about drama of 2025, with promotional materials emphasising the novel’s critical acclaim and the production’s ambitious scope. However, aggregated review scores and formal critic consensus remain unavailable on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing.

The Rotten Tomatoes page for the series currently lists cast and crew information without populated review metrics. This absence likely reflects the timing of coverage, as formal review aggregation typically requires a sufficient number of published critiques to establish meaningful scores.

Pre-release reactions from industry observers and early screenings have been largely positive, with particular praise directed toward the performances of Petticrew and Anderson. The emotional depth of the story and the authentic recreation of 1970s Northern Ireland have been highlighted as particular strengths.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

The Guardian’s review described the series as “an intoxicating, rousing, and heartbreaking love story,” highlighting its ability to balance intimate character drama with broader political context. This assessment aligns with pre-release expectations that positioned the adaptation as a serious contender for awards consideration.

Audience response through social media and viewer review platforms has mirrored the critical enthusiasm, with particular praise for the series’ refusal to oversimplify the political context while maintaining focus on the personal relationship at its centre.

Key Events and Timeline

1. Louise Kennedy publishes the novel “Trespasses,” which receives critical acclaim
2. Channel 4 announces adaptation of Kennedy’s novel for television
3. Casting announcements reveal Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen, and Gillian Anderson as leads
4. Production completes in Northern Ireland with filming throughout the region
5. Series premieres on Channel 4 on November 9, 2025
6. All four episodes become available for streaming simultaneously

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Historical Context and Setting

Trespasses immerses viewers in 1970s Northern Ireland during a period known as The Troubles, a decades-long conflict between nationalist Catholics and loyalist Protestants that resulted in significant violence and social disruption. The series depicts how ordinary citizens navigated daily life amid bombing campaigns, sectarian intimidation, and the presence of security forces.

The setting of a border town adds geographical and political significance to the story. Characters living near the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland faced additional pressures related to smuggling, checkpoints, and the movement of paramilitary organisations across territorial boundaries.

The adaptation brings particular attention to mixed-identity relationships, which were exceptionally dangerous during this period. Women in particular faced severe consequences for relationships that crossed sectarian lines, making Cushla’s involvement with Michael not merely scandalous but potentially lethal.

The novel’s author, Louise Kennedy, worked closely with the production team to ensure the adaptation honoured her source material. Her involvement provided continuity between page and screen, helping the writers maintain the tonal balance between intimate romance and political thriller that characterises the book.

For similar content exploring television’s treatment of historical drama, see K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Sources and References

“An intoxicating, rousing, and heartbreaking love story set against the brutal backdrop of The Troubles.”

— The Guardian review, November 2025

Information in this article draws from multiple sources including Channel 4’s official programming page, Wikipedia’s comprehensive entry on the series, coverage from Elle UK, Cosmopolitan UK, RadioTimes, and Freely’s programming guide. The Rotten Tomatoes page provides cast and crew information while review aggregation remains pending.

Summary

Trespasses delivers a four-part drama adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s acclaimed novel, set in 1970s Northern Ireland during The Troubles. The series centres on a forbidden romance between Catholic teacher Cushla Lavery and Protestant barrister Michael Agnew, portrayed by Lola Petticrew and Tom Cullen respectively. Gillian Anderson co-stars as Cushla’s mother Gina, with supporting performances from Martin McCann and an ensemble cast that brings the divided community to vivid life. The series premiered on Channel 4 on November 9, 2025, with all episodes available for streaming on the platform and through Freely. International availability remains limited, and the series does not currently appear on Netflix or other major streaming services.