Academics' Research on Irish Women in US Prisons Inspires Hollywood Film Adaptation
A groundbreaking academic project on female Irish emigrants in Canada and the US has yielded an unexpected outcome - a hit podcast, a book, and now a Hollywood film. The research, which delved into dusty archives to uncover the often-overlooked stories of impoverished girls and women who got caught up in crime during the 19th century, has captivated audiences worldwide.
Led by two history professors, Elaine Farrell from Queen's University Belfast and Leanne McCormick from Ulster University, the project aimed to challenge the conventional narrative that female Irish emigrants were domestic servants or respectable homemakers. Instead, their research revealed a dark side of Irish women who turned to sex work, theft, and violence in the face of poverty, abuse, and hunger.
The podcast, which has gained significant traction among listeners, was inspired by this research. The term "Bad Bridgets" - a nod to the often- forgotten stories of these women - has become synonymous with their struggles and resilience. As one fan noted, "It wasn't all good wives and mothers and nuns or teachers. There's a slightly darker side. I don't want to meet those women but I love that we can see their strong attitudes and their defiance."
Now, the film adaptation of this project is set to hit theaters next year, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones as sisters who leave Ireland to escape an abusive father, poverty, and hunger in New York. Director Rich Peppiatt, known for his semi-autobiographical film Kneecap, will bring these stories to life on the big screen.
The historians behind the project have expressed excitement but also a hint of trepidation about seeing their work adapted for the screen. While they trust Peppiatt's expertise and have collaborated with him before, they acknowledge that handing over creative control can be daunting.
"It's hard handing over your baby, something we've worked on for a very long time, but at the same time it's really exciting seeing how people who have expertise that we don't have take what we've created and make it something else and something different," said McCormick.
The film's production company has announced that Oscar-winning production designer James Price and costume designer Kate Hawley will be involved in bringing this project to life. The film is set to begin shooting in Ireland and Northern Ireland next year, with the historians' book serving as a foundation for the story on screen.
While it remains to be seen how the film adaptation will translate from page to screen, one thing is certain - the stories of these "Bad Bridgets" will continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As historian Elaine Farrell noted, "The talk of premieres and all that is really exciting but we still have to do our day jobs."
A groundbreaking academic project on female Irish emigrants in Canada and the US has yielded an unexpected outcome - a hit podcast, a book, and now a Hollywood film. The research, which delved into dusty archives to uncover the often-overlooked stories of impoverished girls and women who got caught up in crime during the 19th century, has captivated audiences worldwide.
Led by two history professors, Elaine Farrell from Queen's University Belfast and Leanne McCormick from Ulster University, the project aimed to challenge the conventional narrative that female Irish emigrants were domestic servants or respectable homemakers. Instead, their research revealed a dark side of Irish women who turned to sex work, theft, and violence in the face of poverty, abuse, and hunger.
The podcast, which has gained significant traction among listeners, was inspired by this research. The term "Bad Bridgets" - a nod to the often- forgotten stories of these women - has become synonymous with their struggles and resilience. As one fan noted, "It wasn't all good wives and mothers and nuns or teachers. There's a slightly darker side. I don't want to meet those women but I love that we can see their strong attitudes and their defiance."
Now, the film adaptation of this project is set to hit theaters next year, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones as sisters who leave Ireland to escape an abusive father, poverty, and hunger in New York. Director Rich Peppiatt, known for his semi-autobiographical film Kneecap, will bring these stories to life on the big screen.
The historians behind the project have expressed excitement but also a hint of trepidation about seeing their work adapted for the screen. While they trust Peppiatt's expertise and have collaborated with him before, they acknowledge that handing over creative control can be daunting.
"It's hard handing over your baby, something we've worked on for a very long time, but at the same time it's really exciting seeing how people who have expertise that we don't have take what we've created and make it something else and something different," said McCormick.
The film's production company has announced that Oscar-winning production designer James Price and costume designer Kate Hawley will be involved in bringing this project to life. The film is set to begin shooting in Ireland and Northern Ireland next year, with the historians' book serving as a foundation for the story on screen.
While it remains to be seen how the film adaptation will translate from page to screen, one thing is certain - the stories of these "Bad Bridgets" will continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As historian Elaine Farrell noted, "The talk of premieres and all that is really exciting but we still have to do our day jobs."
I mean, these women's stories are so fascinating and complex. Growing up in Ireland, I always felt like my history was being swept under the rug. But hearing about these "Bad Bridgets" is like a breath of fresh air - they're not just victims, they're strong, fierce women who fought against impossible odds. I love how this project is shedding light on a part of history that's often been overlooked. Can't wait to see it come to life on the big screen! 
I mean, isn't it already pretty well-known how hard life was for those Irish women back then? Like, don't they want to leave the storys and emotions alone? But at the same time, can you blame them for wanting to share these stories with an even bigger audience? It's like, do you take away from the story by making it into a movie or does it help get more people interested in learning about this stuff? 
i mean, who would've thought that a research project on female Irish emigrants in US prisons would inspire a hollywood film adaptation? it's like they're turning this dark history into something cinematic. and the fact that it's got people talking about how women were not just domestic servants or nuns, but actually had to resort to sex work and violence due to poverty and abuse... it's eye-opening. i'm curious to see how the film adaptation will play out, especially with the production design team on board 
can't wait to see how they bring these dark histories to life on the big screen, hope it does justice to the women who paved their own paths in a harsh world 
and let's be real, Daisy Edgar-Jones is already killing the lead role game 
I think it's awesome that the research on Irish women in US prisons has inspired a Hollywood film adaptation! It's like, finally giving these forgotten stories some justice. I mean, who wouldn't want to see Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones as sisters fighting for survival in New York? 
But seriously, it's amazing how this project has brought attention to the often-overlooked struggles of Irish women during the 19th century. I'm excited to see how they'll bring these stories to life on screen. And can we talk about how awesome it is that the historians behind the research are getting involved in the production? 
. I love how the historians behind the project are excited but also a bit nervous about seeing their work come to life on screen 
. The cast, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones, is amazing and Rich Peppiatt is known for his expertise in storytelling 
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. And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see a story like this come out? It's not just about Hollywood glamour or romance 
. It's about shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles of women in history. Bring it on, I'm ready for this film adaptation! 
Like, these ladies were just trying to survive with zero options and a whole lot of attitude. It's like they're the OGs of feminist icon status. The fact that this research is getting a Hollywood makeover is pretty wild - I'm curious to see how they'll spin it into a cinematic masterpiece... or if they'll just make some fancy-schmancy period drama 
! Those Irish women who were like "screw the system" and took matters into their own hands are definitely the ultimate underdog story 
it's like they say, 'no woman is an island' 
anyway, excited to see how the film turns out 
hope the historians involved can trust their creative vision 
. I mean, have you seen those big-budget movies where they take some good book or show and just... change everything? Like, what's next, a movie about these "Bad Bridgets" that'll make them look like, I don't know, wholesome heroines or something 
. And don't even get me started on the casting - Daisy Edgar-Jones is nice and all, but she's not exactly the first person who comes to mind when you think of feisty Irish women 
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. But one thing's for sure, these women's struggles and resilience are going to captivate audiences worldwide 
. Hopefully, they'll be able to bring their expertise to the table and make the film shine 
#CollaborationIsKey #CreativeControl
I mean, can you believe how many people were living these dark lives, struggling with poverty and abuse? It's wild that their stories are now being told in a Hollywood film adaptation 
They've worked so hard on their research, it's natural to wonder if the filmmakers will do justice to their work... but I trust Peppiatt