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Trespasses new C4 drama starts 9pm Sunday 9 November 2025

112 replies

IwantToRetire · 09/11/2025 19:42

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.

Watch Trespasses | Stream free on Channel 4

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.

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

OP posts:
Shadesofscarlett · 12/11/2025 09:37

IwantToRetire · 11/11/2025 17:08

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.

the other copper with the curly hair is also from Blue Lights

AvonCallingBarksdale · 12/11/2025 09:43

Shadesofscarlett · 12/11/2025 09:37

the other copper with the curly hair is also from Blue Lights

Show quote history

Yes, he’s Shane in Blue Lights - only clocked that yesterday.

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 12/11/2025 10:05

Just on the openness of the relationship with Cushla. I think that it’s very much of its time. A rich successful man in the 70s with a depressed wife wouldn’t be frowned upon in having his needs met elsewhere and I guess his mates are part of a fairly well to do intellectual set even for that era.

I did wonder how Cushla’s family afforded what appeared to be quite a grand home. They owned the pub but obviously that didn’t seem to be especially successful. Was it explained in the book?

TeaRoseTallulah · 12/11/2025 10:12

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 12/11/2025 10:05

Just on the openness of the relationship with Cushla. I think that it’s very much of its time. A rich successful man in the 70s with a depressed wife wouldn’t be frowned upon in having his needs met elsewhere and I guess his mates are part of a fairly well to do intellectual set even for that era.

I did wonder how Cushla’s family afforded what appeared to be quite a grand home. They owned the pub but obviously that didn’t seem to be especially successful. Was it explained in the book?

Maybe from her late Father?

SydneyCarton · 12/11/2025 11:00

It’s been a while since I read the book but I think there may have been some money in the family in the past, but they had come down in the world and only had the old house left?

Duxdelux · 12/11/2025 11:58

Why have the ducks on wall switched position, small duck on left episode 2, large duck on lefr episode 4?

BeserkingTuesday · 12/11/2025 12:31

@DonnaHadDee "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."
Does this read as I read it? What's the back story?

BeserkingTuesday · 12/11/2025 12:43

Watched. I agree with the comments about sound quality which made some scenes, combined with the accents, unintelligible. The story thus became a bit disjointed.

So far as the script/story goes it was a bit one sided in the light of local politics but it should be remembered that both sides of the working class communities had similar experiences while professionals weren't impacted in quite the same way.

I thought that Lola Pettigrew was immense and I was surprised to find out, because of her enthusiasism in the sex scenes, that she was gay. Her loss; confusion; sorrow; enforced silence; were believable.

marshmallowmix · 12/11/2025 16:18

Love it but also having sound issues in parts, we missed bits as vanr make out what was said.

Is the guy stalking her police?

Great chemistry with the 2 lead actors they make a lovely couple.

Love seeing the old cars not seen an Allegro in decades , we used to have own in the 80s.🤣

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 12/11/2025 17:24

I'm not commenting as I watched the last episode last night - and sort of regret doing it, as should have thought over everything and the ending of last night's episode.

But wanted (and I had to search for this) give a special nod towards Davy (youngest son of Betty) played by Daithi Ó Haragain. Although I think nearly all of the cast, even the minor characters are great.

re Sound, funnily enough using ITVX to watch last episode it was better than when being broadcast.

Also, having to search for Davy saw also that Tom Cullen was in Downton. Who?!

OP posts:
JewelleryCat · 12/11/2025 17:34

@IwantToRetire Google is telling me he played Viscount Gillingham (Tony) and I would never have known despite all my rewatches over the years

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 12/11/2025 17:47

JewelleryCat · 12/11/2025 17:34

@IwantToRetire Google is telling me he played Viscount Gillingham (Tony) and I would never have known despite all my rewatches over the years

Well haven't watch since whenever it was first shown, but it seems to have been quite a central role at one time!
https://downtonabbey.fandom.com/wiki/Anthony_Foyle

OP posts:
WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 12/11/2025 18:02

I saw that c4 are going to show Say Nothing which Lola Pettigrew also stars in and is worth a watch. It’s been on Disney for a while.

marshmallowmix · 12/11/2025 18:11

I’m a downtown abbey fan too I’d no idea Tom Cullen was in it!

I’d never have picked that up …he looks better now than then I’d say 😁.

SwedishEdith · 12/11/2025 18:16

I don't remember him from Downtown either. I think he'd make a good Heathcliffe or play Gordon Brown. He's very brooding.

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IwantToRetire · 12/11/2025 18:27

I'm glad he said about it being inherently feminine, which isn't the word I would use, but I think it does show how women's lifes are dominated by the "masculine" behaviour of men, whether at home or in society / politics.

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 12/11/2025 21:32

I cant stand her brother. Sexist abusive git

JewelleryCat · 12/11/2025 21:36

It must have been so scary living in NI with the troubles. Police following people etc

isitspringyet · 12/11/2025 21:42

Why was Cushla given an egg at the funeral?

JenniferBooth · 12/11/2025 22:01

What year is the final scenes It wasnt clear enough on screen. Present day i assume?

tennissquare · 12/11/2025 22:19

@JenniferBooth yes 2025

tennissquare · 12/11/2025 22:20

Such a heartbreaking final episode. The adaptation was so faithful to the book.

marshmallowmix · 12/11/2025 22:39

Who bombed their pub? Was really good enjoyed it.