Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to the Irish historical thriller "Bad Bridgets," a film that garnered significant attention at the American Film Market. This production, helmed by "Kneecap" director Rich Peppiatt and produced by Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment, features a compelling cast including Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver. The movie explores the perilous journey of two sisters escaping 19th-century famine-ridden Ireland, seeking refuge and an unforgiving new life in New York City.
The narrative of "Bad Bridgets" promises to offer a vivid depiction of resilience and struggle, drawing inspiration from historical accounts of Irish emigrant women. With a strong creative team and a poignant story, the film is poised to captivate a global audience through Netflix's expansive platform, highlighting a significant chapter in Irish diaspora history and the challenges faced by women seeking a better future.
Netflix Secures Global Rights for Period Thriller
Netflix has officially acquired the global streaming rights for the upcoming Irish period thriller, "Bad Bridgets." This highly anticipated film, which generated considerable buzz at last year's American Film Market, marks a significant addition to Netflix's diverse content library. The project brings together a talented team, with Rich Peppiatt, acclaimed director of "Kneecap," at the helm. The cast is led by notable actresses Emilia Jones, celebrated for her role in "CODA," and Alison Oliver, known for her performances in "Saltburn" and "Wuthering Heights." Oliver recently stepped into the role previously held by Daisy Edgar-Jones, adding to the film's star power. The involvement of Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment as a producer further elevates the film's profile, promising a high-quality production.
The acquisition by Netflix underscores the platform's commitment to delivering compelling international stories to its global audience. "Bad Bridgets" is based on the book "Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women" by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, which was optioned by Peppiatt and producer Trevor Birney in 2025. Their production banner, Coup d'Etat Films, launched in 2024 and is co-producing with LuckyChap. The film's development received support from Queens University, Belfast, emphasizing its deep roots in Irish history and culture. FilmNation handled the international sales at AFM, while WME Independent represented the U.S. rights, facilitating the film's journey to a global release under the Netflix banner. Filming is slated to commence in Northern Ireland and Ireland later in 2026, with an Oscar-winning production designer, James Price, and costume designer, Kate Hawley, already on board.
A Poignant Historical Narrative of Irish Emigration
The story of "Bad Bridgets" is set in 19th-century Ireland, a period marked by devastating famine and widespread hardship. The narrative centers on two sisters who are compelled to embark on a perilous journey to America, desperate to escape an abusive father, crushing poverty, and pervasive hunger in their homeland. This poignant premise highlights the extreme circumstances that drove many Irish individuals to seek new lives overseas during this era. Upon their arrival in New York, the sisters join a community of other Irish immigrant women, collectively referred to as "Bridgets," who often found themselves navigating challenging social landscapes and, in some cases, creating a stir in the bustling city.
The film promises to be a powerful exploration of themes such as survival, resilience, and the search for identity amidst adversity. It offers a glimpse into the lives of these "Bad Bridgets," who, despite facing immense prejudice and hardship, carved out their existence in a new world. The historical context, drawn from the book that inspired the film, provides a rich tapestry against which the sisters' personal struggles and triumphs unfold. This historical drama is not merely an escape but a profound commentary on the human spirit's capacity to endure and adapt in the face of overwhelming odds, offering viewers a window into a critical period of Irish and American history, characterized by both suffering and the emergence of new communities.