Trespasses new C4 drama starts 9pm Sunday 9 November 2025

[IwantToRetire]

Heartbreaking drama set in 1970s Northern Ireland.

When young Catholic teacher Cushla falls for a married Protestant man, their secret passion ignites a dangerous love that defies the Troubles divide.

Based on the book Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

Seems to have quite good reviews.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/trespasses

All episodes seem ot be available on line.

Siobhan Butler is Michael’s wife, it was her book Cushla picked up.

The scene in the sweet shop with the plastic bottles with the red lids reminded me of getting pocket money on a Sunday and choosing a quarter of lemon bonbons or sherbet pips 😀

Oh, Siobhan, sorry. She knows he's married though?

I’m enjoying it, although find the lingering sex scenes a bit much mainly because Michael’s a bit of a sleaze for me.

I’ve rattled through to the end so no spoilers only to say it’s very well acted throughout. I do have a couple of questions tho but will return in due course to pose them!

Can't understand a word even with the volume up. It's not just the accents, but it is muffled. I gave up on it.

I loved the book , so I was looking forward to the first episode.
I didn't enjoy it as much as the book as I didn't really recognise any chemistry between the two actors as I watched. They are both obviously gorgeous but not quite clicking.
I will give the second episode a go just to see if it improves.

Michael reminds me of the late Terry Wogan oddly enough ! Not in looks, more his mannerisms.

I’m liking it but I could do without all the sex scenes. I’ve never read the book so I don’t know if all those scenes are in there but it does ruin a story where they use sex as a filler and I’m fully aware that this is a me thing and maybe I’m a prude lol

I don’t like sex scenes in any drama! I guess I’m an old prude too. I feel embarrassed for the actors!

Started it last night and watched 2 episodes. Really enjoying it. Have subtitles on for everything!

Pretty sure she does, he wears a wedding ring and said his situation was "complicated" I don't think she expected to find one of his wife's books in his town flat as it suggests a closer relationship than perhaps he'd led her to believe.

Her brother's a weapons-grade shit.

I'm originally from the general area and knew about the filming so was looking forward to seeing it. I have no problems understanding the accents. But I'd also agree with the concerns with the overall "clarity" of the speech audio recording. It leaves something to be desired. My DH, who has spent a lot of time in NI both for work and socially, had to have subtitles on.

I'm younger and don't have very clear memories of the mid-70s, but the filming resonates with me. I'm from a 95+% Unionist area. We'd have had our equivalent of the rabid sectarian priest too in our school and church too. I remember him well, and his son is now in a similar role.

One issue I'd have is with respect to the weather. Anyone familiar with the area knows the north coast of Down has some beautiful weather, it has some of the lowest rainfall and most sun in NI. I'd love to see that in film!

DH and I binged this,loved it, refreshing change from all the crap that seems to be on at the moment.

We are enjoying it so far. Have had no problem understanding anyone not sure why everyone is complaining about mumbling. We've seen three episodes so far. Recognised quite a few actors so far.

We didn't have any problem with the sound either.

I "enjoyed" the second episode as it takes the story forward. And having heard it as a radio play sometime ago, have no clear memory of the plot.

I agree that even assuming there is desire as much as love between the two main characters we dont need to see so much explicit scenes. In fact it makes it look just like a physical attraction, and not much else. I know at one time it was thought daring for tv to be explicit but surely not any more.

But overall I think showing or indicating the complications in people's lives, let alone with British soldiers on the streets is well done. And depressing. Are any of the women having a good life?

Hadn't realised until yesterday that the brother behind the bar is in Blue Lights.

re the sound - I do think there is a problem which is one I usually find with films shown on tv. I have to have the volume at twice the level I have for most tv whether chat shows or series. There is something about the way it is recorded that it is always sort of behind, so muffled rather than mumbled. (Suspect this is down to supposedly advanced recording equipment which actual turns out to produce a worse sound quality than the old boom mikes!)

But looking forward to tonight's episode.

Off topic, but for some reason watching this reminded me of a NI based tv series that had a huge impression on me. I still remember it quite clearly, even years later which is very unlike me.

Set in a different era, but reflecting something of the restraints on women's lives.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bthwt2

Have I misremembered or were there two names on the book? I thought there was another name, which was the wife, so was confused about Siobhan? Im also finding it hard to hear everything being said.

I do honestly think , Michael, regardless of religion… IS A RIDE !!

Yes @Romeiswheretheheartis there are 2 names, I think one is Siobhan and underneath is the English version of her name which is 'Joanna'.

I binge watched the next 3 episodes and warmed up to it very much. I found the acting by Tom Cullen so beautiful when he is trying to tell Cushla they were having more than an affair and he loved her. Lots of crying for me after that!

I think they've done a pretty good job of re-telling the book.

There is a lot of sex in the book and I suppose they are being true to it, it didn't bother me much.

I've had to check online to find what this Irish slang means.

Although I did sort of guess.

Why was Gillian Anderson's character annoyed that her DIL is pregnant? Did she say something about the months....does that mean it's not her sons baby? I couldn't quite make it out

I think she was angry that the DiL was five months pregnant before they told her, and complained that her mother (DiL’s mum) would have been told much sooner.

I’m surprised Michael doesn’t seem to be hiding their relationship with his friends.

😲 ending.

A few things:

Michael is hot.
I don't understand how he's able to be so public with Cushla.
Would the older woman doing the dishes at the house party have been so blase about Cushla?
I don't think they would have used the term "radicalised" then - think that's anachronistic.
Is Gerry being recruited?
Michael is hot.

Last nights was great 👍🏻 still don’t like Michael - what about poor Dermot, his son, 😢. GA is brilliant. Great performances from everyone and, not having read the book, the end of last night came as 😱.