‘Bad Bridget’ archival research project inspires Hollywood movie

The archival research project that informed a groundbreaking exhibition at the Ulster American Folk Park is now being turned into a Hollywood feature film.

The Bad Bridget Project explored the untold stories of women who emigrated from Ireland to North America between 1838 and 1918, tracing their often-difficult lives via documented interactions with the state, such as immigration, crime and mental health records.

The project, which is titled after the collective name given to Ireland’s female emigrants, began in 2015 and was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

It was led by professors Elaine Farrell from Queen’s University Belfast and Leanne McCormick from the School of Arts & Humanities at Ulster University.

The initiative has so far resulted in a book, Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women, an ongoing podcast series featuring the Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney, and the Bad Bridget exhibition at the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh, part of National Museums Northern Ireland.

The upcoming film, entitled Bad Bridgets, will be drawn from the book and is described as a “daring, unflinching portrayal of two sisters fleeing famine-stricken Ireland for the promise of a new life in 19th-century New York, only to find themselves swept into a world of survival, scandal, and subversion”.

It promises to be a “visceral, character-driven drama that challenges stereotypes and reclaims the narratives of Irish women whose American dreams turned into nightmares”.

Bad Bridgets will be directed by Rich Peppiatt, who won a Bafta for his 2024 musical about the Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap. It will star Daisy Edgar-Jones, of the hit BBC drama Normal People, and Emilia Jones, who was nominated for a Bafta for her role in the 2021 drama CODA.

The film is being produced by Coup d’Etat Films and LuckyChap Entertainment, with support from Queen's. LuckyChap is a production company founded by Barbie star Margot Robbie known for championing female-driven stories.

It will begin shooting in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in spring 2026, with renowned costume designer Kate Hawley and Oscar-winning production designer James Price attached.

“This project has always been about giving voice to forgotten and misunderstood female stories and the complexities of emigration,” said McCormick.

“Our Bad Bridgets were sometimes the victims of their situations but many of the women and girls in our research also made choices to commit crimes.

“The film adaptation of Bad Bridgets will shine a light on the lives of Irish emigrant women, and we’re thrilled to see their stories brought to life by such a talented cast and creative team. It’s a powerful reminder of how history can speak to the present.”

Farrell added: “Our Bad Bridget research gives us glimpses of the intimate lives and personalities of Irish girls and women who ended up in the courtrooms, prisons and institutions of North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Their crimes were varied, as were their motives, and we have loved being able to tell some of their stories in our book, podcast and exhibition. We are thrilled that this major film will bring an aspect of Irish women’s history to the big screen.”

The Bad Bridget exhibition opened in 2022 and has been extended several times. It is currently due to run at the Ulster American Folk Park until early 2026.

Known for its distinctive pop-art style, the exhibition uses innovative techniques, including composite narrative recordings, sensory experiences and illustration, to bring the women’s stories to life and sensitively explore challenging topics such as sex work, sexual assault, alcohol abuse and murder.