Gillian Anderson’s ‘Trespasses’ Lands PBS Date + NBC Sets Epic SVU Marathon
TV Schedule Alert: Gillian Anderson Returns in "Trespasses" + More Must-Watch Dates
Gillian Anderson’s New Drama "Trespasses" Comes to PBS
After starring in hits like The Crown and The Fall, Gillian Anderson is heading back to British TV for a brand-new drama called "Trespasses."
What You Need to Know
IMPORTANT POINT
"Trespasses" premieres Sunday, September 20 on PBS. New episodes air weekly through October 11 (4 episodes total).
The Story (Simplified)
- Setting: Northern Ireland in the 1970s during "The Troubles" (a time of serious political conflict and violence).
- Main Character: Cushla (played by Lola Petticrew), a Catholic schoolteacher.
- Love Interest: Michael (played by Tom Cullen), a married Protestant barrister (that’s a fancy word for a type of lawyer).
- Conflict: Their forbidden romance grows while violence and tension explode around them. Cushla gets pulled between duty vs. desire and family vs. freedom.
The Cast
| Actor | Role | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Lola Petticrew | Cushla | Say Nothing |
| Tom Cullen | Michael | Downton Abbey |
| Gillian Anderson | Gina (Cushla’s alcoholic mother) | The Crown, The Fall, X-Files |
| Martin McCann | – | – |
| Emily Taaffe | – | – |
| Oisín Thompson | – | – |
| Barry Ward | – | – |
Watch the teaser trailer (press play in the original article) to get a sneak peek!
In Other Scheduling News… Mark Your Calendars!
1. NBC Honors Mariska Hargitay with an SVU Marathon
- Why? She’s hosting the Emmys on Monday, September 14.
- When: Thursday, September 10 (3-hour block starting at 8 p.m.)
- Episodes Featured:
- 8 p.m. – Season 6, Episode 7: "Charisma"
- 9 p.m. – Season 7, Episode 3: "911" This one won her the Emmy!
- 10 p.m. – Season 9, Episode 9: "Undercover"
- Bonus: SVU returns for Season 28 on Thursday, October 8 at 9 p.m., leading into Law & Order Season 26.
2. Big Brother Hits 1,000 Episodes!
- When: Thursday, August 27 at 8 p.m. (90-minute special)
- What’s Happening:
- Surprise appearances from former houseguests (chosen by fan votes!)
- Look back at 26 years of memorable moments
- BB Blockbuster twist + a live eviction
3. Apple TV+ Drops New Aussie Thriller "Last Seen"
- What: 6-part thriller from Australia
- Star: Patrick Brammall (from Colin From Accounts) as a former detective turned police dispatcher
- Plot: He gets a distress call from a teenage girl… and thinks it might be his missing child.
- Release Schedule:
- September 9: First 2 episodes drop
- Then: 1 new episode every Wednesday through October 7
Trailers available in the original article (two YouTube embeds).
Quick Reference: All Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | Show | Network/Platform | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 27 | Big Brother (Ep. 1000) | CBS | 90-min special, live eviction |
| Sep 9 | Last Seen (Eps 1–2) | Apple TV+ | New thriller, then weekly Wednesdays |
| Sep 10 | SVU Marathon | NBC | 8–11 p.m., 3 classic episodes |
| Sep 14 | Emmys (Mariska hosts) | NBC | — |
| Sep 20 | Trespasses (Ep. 1) | PBS | Gillian Anderson’s new drama |
| Oct 7 | Last Seen (Finale) | Apple TV+ | Episode 6 |
| Oct 8 | SVU Season 28 Premiere | NBC | 9 p.m., leads into L&O S26 |
| Oct 11 | Trespasses (Finale) | PBS | Episode 4 |
Summary
Gillian Anderson is back on PBS this fall in "Trespasses" — a gripping 4-episode drama set in 1970s Northern Ireland during The Troubles. It premieres September 20 and airs weekly through October 11. She plays Gina, the alcoholic mother of a Catholic schoolteacher (Lola Petticrew) who falls for a married Protestant lawyer (Tom Cullen) as violence erupts around them.
Other big TV dates to save:
- Big Brother’s 1,000th episode (Aug 27, CBS)
- SVU marathon honoring Mariska Hargitay (Sep 10, NBC)
- Apple TV+ thriller "Last Seen" drops first two episodes Sep 9, then weekly
Grab your calendar and set those reminders!
FAQ
1. What is "The Troubles" mentioned in Trespasses?
It was a late-20th-century conflict in Northern Ireland involving political violence, mainly between Catholic nationalists (who wanted a united Ireland) and Protestant unionists (who wanted to stay in the UK). The show is set right in the middle of it.
2. Do I need to watch The Crown or The Fall to understand Trespasses?
Nope! Trespasses is a completely separate story. Gillian Anderson just happens to be in all three.
3. Can I watch the SVU marathon episodes later if I miss them?
Most likely yes — NBC usually puts recent episodes on Peacock (their streaming service) and sometimes on NBC.com or Hulu next-day.
4. Is Last Seen based on a true story?
The article doesn’t say — but it’s a fictional thriller from Australia. Think of it like a mystery movie split into 6 chapters.
5. Will Trespasses be on streaming after it airs on PBS?
PBS shows often land on PBS Passport (member streaming) or PBS.org for free for a limited time. Check your local PBS station’s website after premiere.
Happy watching!