Trespasses cast: Who stars in Channel 4 Troubles drama?

The Channel 4 drama Trespasses adapts Louise Kennedy’s novel and is set in Northern Ireland in 1975. It’s a story about a secret and passionate romance.

I recently came across this really compelling story. It centers around Cushla, a young woman teaching at a Catholic school, and her life is deeply affected by the conflict happening around her – what they call ‘The Troubles.’ She ends up meeting Michael, who’s a bit older, a lawyer, and already married, and their paths cross when she’s helping out at her family’s pub. It’s a setup that immediately feels loaded with tension and potential.

Their connection is immediate – and the love that follows all-consuming.

The story centers around a passionate and risky romance. As Cushla and Michael fall deeper in love, despite the fact their relationship is forbidden, the threat of violence and increasing conflict grows.

Screenwriter Ailbhe Keogan believes the series successfully combines a timeless, forbidden love story with the excitement of a thriller, all rooted in a specific historical setting. She explains that, like classic romances such as Casablanca, making the story deeply connected to its time and place actually makes the love story even more impactful.

The story explores themes that are both relatable to everyone and firmly grounded in its specific setting. It’s this combination of universal ideas and personal, political details that makes it so compelling, and I believe that’s why it will connect with viewers all over the world.

Lola Pettigrew and Tom Cullen play the main characters, Cushla and Michael. But who else appears in the show, and where might you recognize the other actors from?

Find out more below.

Trespasses cast

Lola Petticrew as Cushla Lavery
Tom Cullen as Michael Agnew
Gillian Anderson as Gina Lavery
Martin McCann as Eamonn Lavery
Emily Taaffe as Betty McGeown
Oisín Thompson as Gerry Harkin
Barry Wad as Victor McIntyre

For more information about the characters and where you’ve watched the cast before, read on.

Lola Petticrew plays Cushla Lavery

Cushla Lavery is a young, Catholic schoolteacher living with her mother and helping out at the family pub. While working there, she meets and becomes attracted to Michael, a married Protestant man a little older than herself.

Petticrew explained that despite coming from completely different backgrounds, the two share a special, deep connection and genuinely admire each other. She believes many people have preconceived notions about Michael Agnew, but Cushla truly understands who he is.

What else has Lola Petticrew been in? Their credits include Say Nothing, Bloodlands and She Said.

Tom Cullen plays Michael Agnew

Michael Agnew is a lawyer and Protestant who quickly becomes attracted to Cushla, even though he’s married and they hold opposing political views during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

According to Cullen, Michael goes through a significant transformation throughout the series. Initially, he’s presented as a confident and energetic character determined to overcome his difficult situation. However, like the other characters, he’s eventually weighed down by his environment, and we begin to see him face challenges and difficulties.

Michael’s biggest changes aren’t just caused by outside events; they come from within. His connection with Cushla and falling in love with her force him to confront his inner self and deal with long-held emotional pain.

You probably know Tom Cullen from roles in shows like The Gold, Knightfall, The Five, and Downton Abbey.

Gillian Anderson plays Gina Lavery

Who is Gina Lavery? Cushla’s mother. Gina is an alcoholic.

Anderson described her as someone with a tendency to drink, but also full of interesting and unique qualities. He added that Gina is a very emotional person with a kind heart, and that she’s both amusing and a little bit sad.

Gillian Anderson is known for her roles in many popular shows and series, including The X Files, The Fall, Bleak House, Sex Education, The Salt Path, The Crown, and Hannibal.

Martin McCann plays Eamonn Lavery

Who is Eamonn Lavery? Cushla’s brother. He runs the family pub.

What else has Martin McCann been in? You might know him from Blue Lights and Hostage.

Emily Taaffe plays Betty McGeown

Betty McGeown is a Protestant woman who married a Catholic man. This caused conflict in her community, and her family faced harassment from their neighbors after her husband was attacked by local Protestants. Her children are students at the school where Cushla works.

Daithi Ó Haragain plays Betty’s youngest son, Davy, while Conlaoch Gough-Cunningham plays her eldest son, Tommy.

As a film buff, I was curious about what else Emily Taaffe has worked on, and I found she’s had roles in films like Little Disasters, The Rising, Little Bird, and The Dig. It’s great to see familiar faces popping up in different projects!

Oisín Thompson plays Gerry Harkin

Gerry Harkin is a colleague of Cushla’s. According to executive producer Amanda Posey, Cushla has a close friendship with Gerry, and he helps her show a more fun and playful side of her personality.

He really seemed to embody the youthful, carefree part of Cushla. As I learned more about their story, it became clear why they just weren’t meant to be together. It all started to make sense.

What else has Oisín Thompson been in? His CV incudes My Left Nut.

Additional cast includes:

Barry Ward, known for his roles in Bad Sisters and Save Me, plays Victor McIntyre – a friend of Michael. Cushla goes to a social event to give Victor and his friends an Irish language lesson.

Trespasses premieres on Channel 4 on Sunday 9th November 2025.

2025-11-09 12:37