PBS Will Premiere Trespasses Series on September 20
The television adaptation of Louise Kennedy's novel will debut on PBS and streaming platforms this September.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Television
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PBS will premiere its television adaptation of the novel Trespasses on September 20, 2026. The series, which follows a teacher involved in an illicit affair, will air weekly through October 11.
Why it matters
Bringing the acclaimed 2022 novel to a wider television audience provides viewers with a dramatic look at life in Northern Ireland during a turbulent historical era.
The production is based on the 2022 novel by Louise Kennedy and was previously broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. Episodes are scheduled for release weekly through October 11.
The players
Gillian Anderson
She is an acclaimed actress who stars as Gina in the television adaptation of Trespasses.
Lola Petticrew
She is an actor who portrays the character Cushla Lavery in the series.
Louise Kennedy
She is an author who wrote the 2022 novel upon which the television series is based.
PBS
This is a public broadcaster in the United States that will air the series on its network and digital platforms.
The details
The series is set in 1975 Belfast during the Troubles and features Gillian Anderson as Gina alongside Lola Petticrew as Cushla Lavery. The story centers on a teacher engaged in an illicit affair with a barrister.
Timeline
The story is set in 1975 Belfast.
Louise Kennedy published the original novel in 2022.
The series premieres on PBS on September 20, 2026.
The initial broadcast run concludes on October 11, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This series follows the trend of adapting contemporary literary successes for television to capture established fanbases. It expands the international reach of content originally produced for the United Kingdom market.
Viewers can watch the series on PBS Sundays at 10/9c or stream it through the PBS app and PBS.org. Additionally, the show is available on PBS Passport and PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video.
The takeaway
This adaptation highlights how period-specific historical settings continue to drive significant interest in modern dramas. Readers may find the original novel provides deeper context for the series' portrayal of 1970s Belfast.
What happens next
The series broadcast continues weekly on PBS from the September 20 premiere through the final episode on October 11.
Further reading
For more updates on upcoming series and programming, visit our Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV Insider.
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