Trespasses TV Series on Channel 4: Cast, Episodes & Streaming

Few TV dramas manage to balance romance and historical tension as deftly as Trespasses, the new Channel 4 adaptation set in 1970s Northern Ireland. The four-part series, which premiered in November 2025, stars Lola Petticrew as a Catholic schoolteacher and Tom Cullen as a Protestant barrister in a story that unfolds against the Troubles, and this guide brings together the essential facts.

Episodes: 4 ·
Premiere Year: 2025 ·
Network: Channel 4 ·
Starring: Lola Petticrew, Tom Cullen, Gillian Anderson ·
Setting: 1970s Northern Ireland ·
Genre: Drama

The essential statistics for Trespasses are summarized below.

Where can I watch the TV series Trespasses?

Trespasses is available to stream free on Channel 4’s on-demand service, All 4, for viewers in the UK. The full series dropped on premiere day — 9 November 2025 — so you can binge all four episodes right now.

How to watch Trespasses online?

1. Go to Channel 4 (All 4) (UK broadcaster).
2. Create a free account or log in (requires valid TV licence).
3. Search for “Trespasses” and stream all episodes online.

The service is ad-supported but costs nothing beyond the licence fee. According to Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet), all four episodes were made available from the morning of the premiere date.

Is Trespasses on Netflix?

No. Based on available sources, Trespasses is not currently listed on Netflix. The series is a Channel 4 original and only streams on the broadcaster’s own platform. Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet) notes that at the time of publication it is not scheduled on any U.S. streaming services.

Where can I watch Trespasses in Ireland?

Viewers in Ireland can access Channel 4’s streaming service, subject to regional licensing restrictions. No distinct Irish streaming partner has been announced, but the series is not on Netflix or other major platforms. Freely (streaming platform) describes it as a Channel 4 drama available through their service in the UK only.

The implication: UK viewers have immediate access, but international audiences face significant barriers to legal viewing.

What is the new Irish drama on Channel 4?

Trespasses is a Northern Irish drama set in 1975, following the forbidden romance between Cushla Lavery, a Catholic schoolteacher, and Michael Agnew, a Protestant barrister who defends IRA members. Freely (streaming platform) calls it “a romance drama set against the backdrop of the Irish Troubles.”

Who stars in Trespasses?

• Lola Petticrew as Cushla Lavery (Freely (streaming platform))
• Tom Cullen as Michael Agnew (Freely (streaming platform))
• Gillian Anderson as Gina Lavery (Freely (streaming platform))
• Declan Conlon as Father Smyth (Freely (streaming platform))

How many episodes are in Trespasses?

The series consists of four episodes, each airing weekly from November 2025. Freely (streaming platform) confirms the four-episode structure. Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet) adds that the series is already earning four- and five-star reviews.

Is Michael in Trespasses Protestant or Catholic?

Michael Agnew is a Protestant barrister. Cushla Lavery is a Catholic schoolteacher. Their cross-community relationship drives the tension. YouTube (4TheDrama playlist) describes the series as following Cushla and Michael in a small town outside Belfast.

The implication: The divide is explicitly religious, not just political — a key reason the relationship is dangerous in 1970s Northern Ireland.

Is Trespasses based on a true story?

Trespasses is adapted from the 2022 novel by Louise Kennedy. The book is fiction, but it draws heavily on Kennedy’s own upbringing in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet) notes the novel was a bestseller and shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. The adaptation stays true to the novel’s tone, weaving a personal love story into real historical conflict. While not a direct true story, the setting and many events are grounded in lived experience.

The pattern: Historical fiction grounded in lived experience offers emotional authenticity while avoiding strict documentary constraints.

When can I watch Trespasses?

Trespasses premiered on Channel 4 on Sunday, 9 November 2025 at 9:00 p.m. GMT. All four episodes are now available to stream. Freely (streaming platform) confirms the 9:00 p.m. slot and the availability of all episodes from Sunday morning.

What is the release schedule?

The episodes aired weekly on Channel 4 from 9 November through to the finale. Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet) states that the box set dropped simultaneously on All 4, so viewers could binge or watch week-by-week.

The pattern: Channel 4 used a hybrid model — linear broadcast for appointment viewing, full streaming for bingers. This is becoming standard for prestige drama on the network.

Was Trespasses filmed in Dublin?

No specific filming location has been confirmed in available sources. The series is set in 1975 in a small town outside Belfast, and production likely used Northern Irish locations. Tom’s Guide (tech news outlet) does not list exact locations. Freely (streaming platform) describes the setting as “a small town outside Belfast.” The production captures the atmosphere of the region, though the exact streets and buildings remain unconfirmed.

Where was Trespasses filmed?

Based on the novel’s setting, filming likely took place in and around County Down or other parts of Northern Ireland. Neither the production team nor the broadcaster has released a definitive location list.

The trade-off: The lack of location detail may frustrate travel-buff fans, but it also keeps the focus on the story rather than tourism-friendly landmarks.

“Far more fun than a Troubles drama should be.”

— Irish Times review (Irish Times (Irish newspaper))

“Heartbreaking drama set in 1970s Northern Ireland.”

— Official Channel 4 description (Channel 4 (UK broadcaster))

For UK audiences, the choice is clear: head to Channel 4 (All 4) and stream all four episodes for free. For viewers in the U.S., Australia, or beyond, the wait for a confirmed broadcast partner continues — but the early critical buzz suggests it may not be long before Lola Petticrew and Tom Cullen’s performances find a home abroad.