Interview with Ailbhe Keogan - Screenwriter

How would you summarise the series?
Trespasses is the heartening journey of a young woman who discovers her true personal freedom for the first time when she gives herself to a forbidden love affair and must face the devastating consequences that follow.

The series shows the world through Cushla’s gaze. Could you tell us about this creative device, how it was adapted from the book and what it brings to the series?
We knew from the start that this was Cushla’s story. In the early stages, we experimented with different approaches - would we have a dual POV, perhaps inhabit Michael’s world as well, and move between them? But we quickly realised that we would stay firmly in Cushla’s gaze. I think that choice layered the experience for the audience in exciting ways and did two key things. Firstly, because we spend so much time in her skin, we fall in love with Cushla as a person. She’s a flawed woman navigating a messy world and trying to find her place within it. We see all aspects of her life, and we grow to care deeply about her. Then, through that connection, we also fall in love with Michael and their relationship. There’s an interesting tension there — because at times, their love affair isn’t necessarily what’s best for Cushla, the woman we’ve come to love. So, maintaining that intimate perspective on her throughout the piece makes for a really rich audience experience.

Why do you think Trespasses will appeal to audiences worldwide?
I think (and hope) that the series does that rare and wonderful thing of propelling a universal forbidden love story with a thriller engine, fuelled by the specifics of a particular time and place. You see this in great love stories like Casablanca. It’s a love story that becomes even more powerful through its specificity. Trespasses is both universal and deeply rooted in its context. It is that blend of the universal and the specific, the personal and the political, that gives it such richness. I think that is what will make it resonate with audiences everywhere.

When you were approached to adapt Trespasses for the screen, what was the initial process like?
I knew I wanted to do the adaptation when I first read the novel. Unquestioningly, I wanted it. That is rare for me. Once shortlisted, I then had to win the pitch. I worked out my vision for the show, like how best to work it structurally, and created a visual document using fire as the central metaphor. I used this to talk Amanda Posey through my ideas. Seeing how gung-ho I was before this pitch, my husband suggested I play it a tad cooler. I tried and failed miserably. Amanda was left in no doubt about how much I adored this novel, and how keen I was to adapt it for the screen, keeping as much of Louise Kennedy’s gold as possible.

How was it working with Louise Kennedy?
It was a total pleasure. Louise is funny, wise, insightful, and generous. She brought all of this to the table and more. She was open and curious about the process and although she was busy with her next book, we knew we could reach out at any time to ask her advice.

What are the key themes of Trespasses?
Trespasses celebrates the courage to love an 'other'. These themes of love, bravery, 'othering', and acceptance really resonate today. Northern Ireland once seemed like an intractable web of hatreds. Now we celebrate it as a beacon of hope. Its future was won by humans brave enough to defy the 'bully boys with bombs'.

What do you hope audiences take away from the TV adaptation of Trespasses and how closely will it adhere to the novel?
We really hope that all those who love the novel will love the show. Anne Edyvean, the Story Producer, Amanda Posey, the Executive Producer, and I all adored the novel to begin with, so it remained our absolute lodestar through the scripting stage. We hope the audience takes away that same sense of earned hope readers of the novel experienced, tears still drying on their cheeks.

Why should people watch Trespasses?
It is a very satisfying watch on every level. The love story propelled by a thriller engine totally lands. The direction and performances are incredible. The cinematography is a feast. The soundtrack and score are evocative. The production design brings 1970s Belfast back to life. As a four-part series, watching this in one extended sitting is possible. You'll go on a real journey with Cushla and Michael, and you'll be all the richer for it.