Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Gillian Anderson on 'Trespasses,' Addiction Denial in Irish Troubles Drama
A new TV show called 'Trespasses' is coming out, set in a difficult time in Northern Ireland called the Troubles.
Gillian Anderson plays a mom named Gina who has a big secret: she drinks too much and doesn't want to admit it.
This is hard for her daughter, Cushla, who is the main character.
Gillian Anderson usually plays very strong women, so playing someone struggling with addiction and denial was a new challenge for her.
The show is based on a book by Louise Kennedy, and the actors felt a big responsibility to tell the story accurately because it's about a real and important part of history.
The writer wanted to make sure the TV show stayed very close to the book.
Gillian Anderson stars in the Channel 4 drama 'Trespasses,' playing a mother struggling with alcohol addiction and denial.
The drama is set in 1975 Northern Ireland during the Troubles and is an adaptation of Louise Kennedy's novel.
Anderson found the role of Gina compelling due to her character's complete denial of her addiction, a contrast to her previous strong female roles.
Actors Lola Petticrew (Cushla) and Tom Cullen (Michael) expressed feeling intimidated and responsible due to the sensitive historical context.
'Trespasses' is produced by Wildgaze Films and launches on Sunday.
- Who
- Gillian Anderson, Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen, Louise Kennedy, Ailbhe Keogan
- What
- Gillian Anderson discusses her role as an alcoholic mother in the upcoming Irish Troubles drama 'Trespasses', which is based on Louise Kennedy's novel.
- When
- 1975
- Where
- Northern Ireland
- Why
- Anderson was drawn to the challenging role of a character in denial about her addiction, and the production aims to adapt the acclaimed novel faithfully.
Gillian Anderson's Perspective
Character's Experience
Portrayal of Addiction
Gillian Anderson's Perspective
Gillian Anderson was drawn to playing a character struggling with addiction and complete denial, finding it an interesting departure from her usual roles of strong, successful women.
Character's Experience
Gina, Anderson's character, is depicted as a mother struggling with addiction, spending her days bound to her living room and the bottom of a bottle, in complete denial of her struggles.
Emotional Impact of Role
Gillian Anderson's Perspective
Anderson found the mother-daughter dynamic of her character to be 'very very moving' and felt a sense of responsibility towards addicts.
Character's Experience
The relationship between Gina and her daughter Cushla is shown to have a 'devastating' impact, representing a 'not uncommon' mother-daughter dynamic.
- Drama Title
- Trespasses
- Network
- Channel 4
- Source Material
- Louise Kennedy novel
- Setting
- 1975 Northern Ireland
- Gillian Anderson's Role
- Gina, mother of the protagonist Cushla
- Other Key Actors
- Lola Petticrew (Cushla), Tom Cullen (Michael Agnew)
- Producer
- Wildgaze Films (Amanda Posey, Finola Dwyer)
- Writer
- Ailbhe Keogan
- Launch Date
- Sunday