Netflix Assembles Star-Studded Cast for Irish Period Thriller Bad Bridgets

Netflix has brought together a star-studded cast for “Bad Bridgets,” an Irish period thriller scheduled to commence production in Northern Ireland in the coming month. The ensemble includes Colin Farrell, Steve Coogan, Charlie Heaton, Domhnall Gleeson, Himesh Patel, Niamh Algar and Simone Kirby, who will team up with leads Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver. Directed by Rich Peppiatt, recognised for his work on “Kneecap,” the film is based on the true-crime account “Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women.” Set against the backdrop of 19th-century famine-ravaged Ireland, the thriller follows two sisters who travel to America to escape hardship and mistreatment, only to become entangled in the infamous activities of Irish immigrant women in New York.

A Exceptional Team Takes Shape

The casting announcement represents a significant coup for Netflix, uniting some of Britain and Ireland’s most distinguished actors. Colin Farrell, coming off his celebrated role in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” anchors a line-up that demonstrates the production’s scope. Steve Coogan, celebrated for his layered acting in “Philomena,” teams up with “Stranger Things” star Charlie Heaton and Domhnall Gleeson, whose current prominence in prestige television and film has established him as one of the industry’s most coveted talents. The ensemble’s collective experience spans big-budget series, award-winning dramas and critically lauded independent productions.

Rounding out the cast are Himesh Patel, whose standout performance in “Yesterday” demonstrated his star potential, alongside Niamh Algar and Simone Kirby. Algar’s latest roles in acclaimed period dramas and Kirby’s impressive turn in Peppiatt’s “Kneecap” suggest the director has cultivated strong working relationships within the Irish theatre world. This thoughtfully curated cast reflects Peppiatt’s intent for a film that balances intimate character work with the broader historical scope of the famine emigration narrative.

• Colin Farrell brings Oscar-nominated pedigree and recent critical acclaim to the production
• Steve Coogan adds dramatic gravitas and extensive experience in character-focused narratives
• Charlie Heaton moves beyond television success to significant cinema work
• Domhnall Gleeson’s casting demonstrates the film’s commitment to prestige drama
• Simone Kirby’s previous working relationship with Peppiatt reinforces the artistic coherence

From Page to Display: The Tale Behind Bad Bridgets

“Bad Bridgets” takes inspiration from the non-fiction work “Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women” by historians Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. The book, which explores the often-overlooked stories of Irish women who emigrated in the famine period, was optioned by director Rich Peppiatt and producer Trevor Birney in 2025. Their choice to adapt this historical material for Netflix signals a increasing demand for narratives that focus on female perspectives during pivotal moments in history. The collaboration between Peppiatt and Birney, who had previously collaborated on the acclaimed film “Kneecap,” demonstrates a mutual dedication to bringing Irish stories to global viewers with genuine storytelling and dramatic impact.

The project marks a significant investment in Irish creative talent, with the project developed in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and receiving support from Northern Ireland Screen. This formal institutional endorsement highlights the production’s cultural significance and its role in bolstering the Northern Ireland screen sector. By locating the project in Northern Ireland, where shooting starts in July, the production is positioned to contribute meaningfully to the local economy whilst generating prospects for regional professionals. The joint working method illustrates a more extensive movement of major streaming platforms partnering with regional institutions to create high-quality programming rooted in defined cultural frameworks.

Historical Influence and Account

Set during the 1800s against the stark setting of famine-stricken Ireland, “Bad Bridgets” tells the story of two sisters whose desperate circumstances force them to undertake a perilous transatlantic journey. Their flight from an abusive father, severe poverty and starvation constitutes a deeply personal narrative set within a broader historical catastrophe. The famine years, which devastated Ireland between 1845 and 1852, uprooted millions and prompted mass emigration to America. By focusing on the experiences of two women navigating this devastating era, the film promises to illuminate aspects of Irish history often confined to marginal notes in conventional historical accounts.

Once the sisters reach New York, they become part of the community of Irish immigrant women commonly referred to as “Bridgets,” who gained notoriety for their participation in criminal enterprises and urban mayhem. This narrative shift from rural desperation to city crime provides compelling dramatic opportunities, allowing the film to explore themes of survival, autonomy and defiance. The “Bridgets” themselves represent a fascinating historical footnote—women who, having suffered extraordinary suffering, rejected victimisation and instead forged their individual routes, however illicit. The adaptation seeks to reinstate nuance and humanity to these marginalised figures.

Imaginative Direction and Production Excellence

Behind the camera, “Bad Bridgets” has assembled a impressive creative team, each member providing considerable expertise and accolades to the project. The production has enlisted the talents of BAFTA award-winning cinematographer Ryan Kernaghan, whose work on “Kneecap” and “Trespasses” illustrates his mastery of rendering nuanced emotional scenes within sweeping period storytelling. Augmenting this visual expertise is Academy and BAFTA award-winning production designer James Price, acclaimed for his groundbreaking work on “Poor Things,” whose meticulous attention to period detail will be crucial to accurately depicting 19th-century Ireland and New York. These seasoned professionals represent the calibre of craftsmanship Netflix has committed to the project.

Equally important is the participation of Oscar and BAFTA-winning costume designer, whose expertise in historical garment construction and cultural specificity will prove vital in faithfully outfitting the film’s characters. The coming together of these distinguished artistic figures reflects Netflix’s resolve to develop “Bad Bridgets” as a prestige period piece rather than a standard streaming fare. Their combined expertise across substantial film work guarantees that every creative detail—from cinematography to costume—will serve the narrative’s thematic concerns, crafting a unified creative approach that honours both historical accuracy and compelling drama.

Director Rich Peppiatt’s Artistic Perspective

Rich Peppiatt, whose directorial debut “Kneecap” received widespread critical praise for its unflinching examination of Irish identity and resistance, brings a unique creative vision to “Bad Bridgets.” His body of work indicates a tendency towards narratives centred on marginalised voices and historical injustice, making him perfectly positioned to adapt Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick’s meticulously researched book. Peppiatt’s collaboration with producer Trevor Birney, who collaborated with him on “Kneecap,” promises creative continuity and a mutual comprehension of how to authentically represent Irish experiences for contemporary audiences whilst maintaining historical accuracy and narrative momentum.

Northern Ireland in the role of the Production Hub

Netflix’s choice to base “Bad Bridgets” production in Northern Ireland represents a significant endorsement in the region’s burgeoning broadcast and cinema infrastructure. With main filming beginning in July 2026, the production will channel significant economic investment into the regional sector whilst tapping into Northern Ireland’s proven collection of skilled technicians, filming studios and locations. This choice underscores the region’s rising profile as a destination for world-class global projects, building upon the achievements of earlier productions that have utilised Northern Ireland’s diverse landscapes and skilled personnel to bring complex stories to the screen.

The participation of Northern Ireland Screen, the region’s dedicated film and television agency, highlights institutional support for the project at both creative and governmental levels. Queen’s University Belfast’s contribution to the production’s creation further reinforces the cultural and educational dimensions of the endeavour, ensuring that historical authenticity and scholarly rigour inform the storytelling process. This partnership structure—combining commercial production expertise with academic rigour and regional support—positions “Bad Bridgets” as a example for how international streaming platforms can work alongside local institutions to produce prestige content that supports the broader creative ecosystem.

• Northern Ireland Screen delivers essential funding and logistical support for the production
• Queen’s University Belfast contributed to the film’s development and archival investigation
• The region features premier production infrastructure and experienced technical crew members
• Film funding will generate significant economic benefits for the local film industry

What People Will Encounter

“Bad Bridgets” promises to deliver a compelling historical account that explores the largely forgotten experiences of Irish women emigrants during the 19th century. Drawing inspiration from Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick’s celebrated non-fiction book “Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women,” the film will document the harrowing journey of a pair of sisters fleeing an violent father, poverty and famine-ravaged Ireland. Upon arrival in New York, audiences will witness their evolution as they navigate the treacherous underworld of the city, becoming part of other Irish women—the so-called “Bridgets”—whose defiant actions have largely been erased from historical record.

Under Rich Peppiatt’s creative leadership, recognised for his uncompromising style in “Kneecap,” viewers can anticipate a raw and unflinching depiction of survival, resilience and transgression. The film’s stellar ensemble cast, combined with the expertise of Oscar and BAFTA-winning production designer James Price and costume designer, guarantees careful consideration to historical accuracy and visual authenticity. Rather than sanitising the stories of these women, “Bad Bridgets” seems dedicated to celebrating their agency and complexity, presenting a counternarrative to conventional historical portrayals that have marginalised their stories for generations.