Channel 4 Commissions Trespasses & Summerwater

Channel 4 has unveiled two new drama commissions: Trespasses, based on Louise Kennedy’s debut novel, and Summerwater, adapted from the best-selling novel by Sarah Moss.

Trespasses, from Wildgaze Films in association with All3Media International, is being adapted for the screen by Ailbhe Keogan. The forbidden love story, directed by BAFTA Award-winning Dawn Shadforth, is set against the backdrop of the Troubles. The cast for the four-parter includes Lola Petticrew (Bloodlands, Tuesday), Tom Cullen (The Gold, Weekend) and Gillian Anderson (Scoop, Sex Education).

“The whole scripting process has been remarkably pain-free as the team was guided by their love of Louise’’s stunning novel,” Keogan said. “It remained our creative lodestar throughout. We feel incredibly grateful to have been gifted the chance to bring the world within it to life, especially the unforgettable characters that populate Cushla and Michael’s Belfast. This show will be political, cinematic, sensual, moving, and, despite the heartbreak, ultimately hopeful.”

Amanda Posey, executive producer for Wildgaze Films, added, “From the moment I read Louise’s remarkable debut novel, I wanted to bring it to screen. Channel 4 shared my passion and backed us when the book was still in manuscript, later joined by ideal international partners in All3Media International. Our singular director Dawn’s vision and Ailbhe’s subtle and moving scripts are perfect for the dark, sexy, funny and devastating world of Louise’s story. I’m thrilled by our cast, the exciting central pairing of Lola Petticrew and Tom Cullen, and the brilliant Gillian Anderson. Together with our producer Maria and the superb Northern Irish team, we can’t wait to introduce Trespasses to audiences everywhere.”

Ollie Madden, head of drama at Channel 4 and director of Film4, noted, “Trespasses is a beautifully observed, tense and deeply romantic love story that we were all captivated by. We are thrilled to be working with Ailbhe in her first lead writing role for television, as well Dawn Shadforth, Amanda Posey and the expert team at Wildgaze Films. Lola is an amazing new talent, accompanied by the peerless Gillian Anderson and Tom Cullen, and we can’t wait to bring this adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s excellent novel to Channel 4.”

Summerwater is a new six-part drama series from Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund and Glasgow-based production company Freedom Scripted, with All3Media International as a global partner. It is being adapted by John Donnelly and will be directed by Robert McKillop. The series is set against the backdrop of a remote loch-side Scottish holiday cabin park, exploring the tensions between holiday makers on a single day.

Donnelly commented, “Sarah Moss writes with perception, compassion and wit about sex, love, and the dark impulses of the human heart. She is one of our most brilliant chroniclers of modern life. In Summerwater, Sarah has found the perfect environment to explore our secrets and desires— a rain-drenched holiday park in Scotland. Summerwater is at once an atmospheric mystery, a hilarious and heartbreaking exploration of identity and an existential thriller. I am delighted to be working with the brilliant team at Freedom Scripted to adapt Sarah’s wonderful novel for a broadcaster with such a pedigree for bold, ambitious drama.”

Mike Ellen, executive producer for Freedom Scripted, added, “Very few books come along as evocative, relevant and brilliantly drawn as Summerwater by Sarah Moss, let alone set a stone’s throw away from where I grew up! We were thrilled to attach John Donnelly as screenwriter and true to form, he has delivered amazing scripts. I’m really excited to be working with such a talented producer as Jules and can’t wait to see what Robbie does with this. We all feel there couldn’t be a better home for the show than with Ollie Madden, Sarah Stack and the team at Channel 4 Drama.”

Madden said, “Summerwater is both a subversive, compulsive, brilliantly characterized thriller, and a witty, dark exploration of modern British life – cleverly adapted from Sarah Moss’ excellent novel. We’ve loved working with John on the film side and are now very excited to be working with him, Robert and the brilliant team at Freedom Scripted on this unique show.”