In “Trespasses,” the latest scandalous drama on PBS, viewers become privy to an illicit love affair in Northern Ireland during the height of political violence of The Troubles.
Based on Louise Kennedy’s award-winning novel, this risqué four-part series follows Cushla, a Catholic schoolteacher living in the dangerous world of Belfast in 1975. By chance, she meets Michael — a married Protestant — and they embark on an torrid affair. As their forbidden love deepens, violence looms and tensions rise. Throughout the racy drama Cushla is pulled between duty and desire, family and freedom.
Read on for a preview of this titillating relationship, the many transgressions of the era, and a glimpse of who’s who within one idealistic woman’s social sphere.
A Sneak Peek at Trespasses
About “Trespasses”
As a young Catholic schoolteacher in Northern Ireland, Cushla’s life is shadowed by the violent partisan conflict of The Troubles. All around her in 1975, the overwhelmingly Protestant loyalists and the primarily Roman Catholic nationalists are split on the region’s future political status, leading to a turbulent clash. Learn more about the history of The Troubles in the series “Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.”
While covering a shift in her family’s bar, Cushla meets and swiftly falls for Michael — an older, married Protestant barrister. As their secret passion grows, they quickly realize the clandestine love is intoxicating and dangerous. The sectarian violence around them looms and pressures mount as Cushla is forced to risk everything for a love that defies the divide.
An affinity for nurturing students endangers one family as Cushla unsuccessfully navigates fragmented politics. Her mother begins to unravel and Cushla is stretched by the hardships at school and at home. Her love affair intensifies and is tested by betrayal, jealousy, and the heightening political climate. Amid secrets and danger, tragedy strikes, devastating Cushla and the community.
When Does “Trespasses” Premiere?
This steamy drama that rattles everyone in its wake premieres on September 20, 2026. You can stream the series on PBS.org or the PBS app.
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Meet the Cast of “Trespasses”
Cushla Lavery
The 24-year-old Catholic schoolteacher Cushla Lavery, played by Lola Petticrew, finds her life outside of Belfast shrouded by the complex political clashes within her community. Living at home in 1975, Cushla is often responsible for managing her widowed mother Gina’s growing drinking habits. At school, she befriends a young bullied student and his family, getting a glimpse of the daily suffering within their household.
While balancing evening shifts at her family’s Anchor Bar, a chance meeting with Michael — an older, married Protestant barrister — leads Cushla to teaching a group of his friends her native Irish dialect. A lusty affair ensues and their secret passion deepens as she risks everything amid the dangerous politics he’s publicly criticizing.
Her colleague Gerry’s friendship becomes a convenient excuse as Cushla continues fooling those around her about her secret romance. Though she thinks she knows the various men in her life, Cushla experiences a terrible tragedy leading to a shocking turning point that unites the Lavery family.
Michael Agnew
An older, married Protestant barrister, Michael Agnew (played by Tom Cullen) defends the indefensible. He openly condemns the forced confessions and police brutality taking place in Northern Ireland, making him a controversial public figure within the troubling political atmosphere. Despite this, he loves Ireland and believes that people must find the freedom to choose courage over fear.
It is common knowledge that he is a ladies’ man and indulges in dalliances from time to time. However, Michael is dazzled by Cushla from the moment they meet and unexpectedly falls in love. Despite claims that he can’t give Cushla the time and family she deserves, he continues their romance and is truly happy even as the political climate around them worsens.
Davy McGeown
A young catholic pupil of Cushla’s, Davy McGeown (played by Daithi Ó Haragáin) is living in a Protestant estate with his Protestant mother and Catholic father. Experiencing increasing bullying at school and throughout his neighborhood, Cushla takes him under her wing and gets to know the people behind the labels.
When asking the school for additional assistance to support Davy, Cushla makes an unintended mistake bringing unwarranted agony unto the family. Despite his initial bewilderment at the situation around him, Davy comes to realize the importance of compassionate figures in the lives of burdened youth.
Gina Lavery
Cushla’s widowed, melancholy mother, Gina (played by Gillian Anderson), is often the dreary bearer of local lore.
Growing more fond of the bottle, Gina feels she has nothing in her life to look forward to. Cushla is left to care for her routinely unstable mother as their relationship grows more strained. But, sympathetic to the McGeowns’ suffering, Gina makes an unexpected convalescence in the face of a tragedy, and she encourages Cushla to endure everything life has thrown at her daughter.
Eamonn Lavery
Cushla’s pragmatic brother, Eamonn (played by Martin McCann), reliably tends the family’s local pub despite the strife after his father’s death. Descending from a long line of Catholics who have survived by keeping their heads down and their mouths shut, he warns Cushla to keep quiet and not let anyone know when he learns her secret.
After tragedy strikes, he recognizes that their fractured hometown is the cause of all the family troubles.
Gerry Harkin
Gerry (played by Oisin Thompson) is a coworker of Cushla’s who is tired of the political drama within their school. He recognizes the ease with which he and Cushla get along and begins spending more time with her. Gerry grows cautionary when the wrong people start inquiring about her, and he asks her to let him in.
Eventually, Gerry becomes Cushla’s confidant — and she becomes his — as they navigate forward by revealing their secrets.
Tommy McGeown
Davy’s eldest brother, Tommy (played by Conlaoch Gough-Cunningham), struggles to find his place in the family after a deplorable targeted attack leaves his father incapacitated.
Despite Cushla’s prodding, he drops out of school and is seen swaggering about with a bottle in his pocket. Tangling with the volatile political environment, he is the type of young man Michael is trying to help.
The McGeown Family
Seen as traitors for their interdenominational marriage, the McGeown family faces building torment. The Catholic father is suffering serious injuries after being left for dead by a lawless gang, while the Protestant mother is struggling to tend to her family. Their front gate is often the scene of jeering teenagers, making life more unbearable for everyone inside.
Encountering a number of setbacks from the school and the community, the family falls apart under the stress of a tragedy.
The Lavery Family
Owners of a local pub, Cushla’s Catholic family is in the midst of grief after the death of Mr. Lavery. Though Cushla and her brother Eamonn both have a strained relationship with their mother, Gina proves her moral compass is intact despite the emotional toll she has endured.
Seeking the truth as she grieves, Cushla’s family is finally united when one final shock lands on their doorstep.
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