Netflix has expanded the cast of Bad Bridgets, a major new period drama from breaking news ireland favourite Rich Peppiatt, the writer-director behind Kneecap. The latest irish breaking news from the production confirms that Colin Farrell and Steve Coogan are among several high-profile names joining the film as it prepares to begin shooting across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The project is adapted from Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and The Lives of Irish Emigrant Women, the acclaimed book by Queen’s University professor Elaine Farrell and Ulster University professor Leanne McCormick. With backing from LuckyChap Entertainment, Coup d’Etat, Northern Ireland Screen and development support from Queen’s University Belfast, the film is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched additions to latest news ireland in screen production.
Bad Bridgets adds star power in breaking news ireland update
The newly announced cast gives the film serious international weight. Alongside Farrell and Coogan, Netflix has also confirmed the following additions:
- Charlie Heaton
- Domhnall Gleeson
- Himesh Patel
- Niamh Algar
- Simone Kirby
They join previously announced leads Alison Oliver and Emilia Jones, who will play two sisters escaping famine-era Ireland in search of a new life in the United States. According to the official logline, the story follows a young Irish woman who receives a mysterious letter promising escape, only to find herself pulled into the chaotic and dangerous world of the Bridgets in 19th-century New York.
This is the kind of film likely to feature across ireland headlines, ireland entertainment news and wider ireland top stories as production ramps up.
Why the film is attracting attention
There are several reasons Bad Bridgets is already generating strong interest in news ireland coverage:
- It comes from Rich Peppiatt after the success and acclaim of Kneecap.
- It is rooted in real historical research on Irish emigrant women.
- It brings together a cast packed with Irish and international talent.
- It will shoot on location across Ireland and the north.
Read more: latest ireland updates | what happened in ireland today
A famine-era story with Irish and global relevance
At its heart, Bad Bridgets is not simply another costume drama. The source material explores the lives of Irish migrant women, including the hardship, survival and notoriety that shaped their journeys abroad. That gives the project historical depth that could resonate with audiences interested in ireland current affairs, cultural history and the Irish diaspora.
Alison Oliver, known for Saltburn and the upcoming Wuthering Heights, and Emilia Jones of CODA lead the story. Their characters are expected to carry the emotional weight of a narrative built around displacement, reinvention and disorder in immigrant communities.
Behind the camera, the film also boasts major creative credentials. BAFTA-winning cinematographer Ryan Kernaghan, known for work on Kneecap and Trespasses, is attached, while Oscar winners James Price and Kate Hawley will handle production design and costume design respectively.
When filming starts and what we know next
Production is due to begin next month across locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland. That alone is likely to keep the film in ireland daily news, especially for readers tracking regional screen industry growth, location shoots and new streaming projects.
What remains unknown is the release date. Netflix has not yet confirmed when Bad Bridgets will arrive on the platform, so fans following ireland news today and global entertainment updates will be watching closely for further announcements.
Explore more: ireland news now | ireland live updates
What this means for ireland entertainment news
The arrival of Colin Farrell and Steve Coogan gives Bad Bridgets extra momentum at a time when Irish-made film and television continue to draw global streaming interest. For followers of breaking news ireland, this casting update is more than celebrity news. It highlights the strength of Irish storytelling, the international demand for Irish talent and the growing importance of Ireland as a production base for prestige screen projects.
With a powerful historical premise, an award-winning creative team and a cast full of recognisable names, Bad Bridgets is already emerging as one of the most notable additions to irish news today in entertainment. The key takeaway: this is a Netflix film worth watching from first shoot to final release.
Article/Image Courtesy: The Irish News
