Netflix Announces Star Cast With Colin Farrell and Steve Coogan for Irish Period Thriller ‘Bad Bridgets’
A new Netflix period thriller titled “Bad Bridgets” is taking shape with the addition of a notable cast that includes the talents of Colin Farrell, Steve Coogan, Charlie Heaton and Domhnall Gleeson. They join protagonists Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver in the production set in Ireland.
Still in the team of actors, Himesh Patel, Niamh Algar and Simone Kirby were also confirmed for the film directed by Rich Peppiatt, known for “Kneecap”. Filming is expected to begin next month, promising to bring the plot to life in Northern Ireland.
The streaming platform Netflix will be responsible for the global release of the film, which is produced by LuckyChap, a renowned company in the film industry.
“Bad Bridgets” is inspired by the book “Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women” by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. The narrative unfolds in the 19th century, a period of deep scarcity in Ireland, and follows the risky journey of two sisters who seek to escape a violent father, poverty and hunger, leaving for the United States. Upon arriving in New York, they join a group of Irish women, nicknamed “Bridgets”, who end up causing a series of riots in the metropolis. The term “Bridget” was often used derogatorily in the 19th century United States to refer to Irish immigrants, reflecting the challenges and prejudices faced by these women who left their homeland in search of a better life, often taking on domestic or operational work.
The rights to the literary work were acquired by Rich Peppiatt and Trevor Birney in 2025. Both are in charge of producing the film, in partnership with LuckyChap and their own production company, Coup d’Etat Films. Cáit Collins serves as executive producer on the project.
To bring the visual universe of the production to life, the technical team brings together award-winning professionals. Among them, photography director Ryan Kernaghan, winner of a BAFTA for works such as “Kneecap”, and art director James Price, awarded an Oscar and BAFTA for “Poor Things”, stand out. The Oscar- and BAFTA-winning costume designer, known for her work on “Frankenstein,” is also part of the team.
