A US film studio has greenlit a movie based on a popular podcast about Irish women who turned to crime in 19th-century America. The project will be directed by Rich Peppiatt, known for his work on the semi-autobiographical film Kneecap, and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones as sisters who leave Ireland due to poverty and abuse before entering New York's shadowy world of "Bad Bridgets".
The podcast and accompanying book focus on Irish women whose stories often got lost in history due to their involvement with crime. From sex workers to pickpockets, these women defied societal expectations and broke the law. Their tales have captivated fans of the book and podcast, who are excited about the possibility of seeing this side of Irish emigrant life on screen.
The film's directors will work closely with Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, to bring the Bad Bridget project to life. Historian Elaine Farrell says that while she is trusting in the directors' vision, she will have some input on set to ensure that her and collaborator Leanne McCormick's research remains faithful.
The original academic project aimed to break free from conventional narratives about female Irish emigrants, who were often seen as respectable homemakers. The book exposed a darker side of these women - they comprised 86% of the female prison population in New York at one point, with many getting caught up in sex work and crime due to desperation.
The Bad Bridget project highlights individual stories like Ellen Price's infamous appearance in court while drunk, Margaret Brown's attempt to escape from a Chicago prison by tying bedsheets together, and Lizzie Halliday's murder convictions. The film will explore these stories as well as the lives of other women who made headlines for their crimes.
Fans are eager to see this lesser-known chapter of Irish emigrant history come alive on screen. Historian Elaine Farrell said: "It wasn't all good wives and mothers... We love that we can see their strong attitudes and defiance." While there is excitement about the film's production, both historians will remain focused on their research work.
In a new era of period dramas, it seems like this lesser-known chapter in Irish-American history may finally get the recognition it deserves.
The podcast and accompanying book focus on Irish women whose stories often got lost in history due to their involvement with crime. From sex workers to pickpockets, these women defied societal expectations and broke the law. Their tales have captivated fans of the book and podcast, who are excited about the possibility of seeing this side of Irish emigrant life on screen.
The film's directors will work closely with Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, to bring the Bad Bridget project to life. Historian Elaine Farrell says that while she is trusting in the directors' vision, she will have some input on set to ensure that her and collaborator Leanne McCormick's research remains faithful.
The original academic project aimed to break free from conventional narratives about female Irish emigrants, who were often seen as respectable homemakers. The book exposed a darker side of these women - they comprised 86% of the female prison population in New York at one point, with many getting caught up in sex work and crime due to desperation.
The Bad Bridget project highlights individual stories like Ellen Price's infamous appearance in court while drunk, Margaret Brown's attempt to escape from a Chicago prison by tying bedsheets together, and Lizzie Halliday's murder convictions. The film will explore these stories as well as the lives of other women who made headlines for their crimes.
Fans are eager to see this lesser-known chapter of Irish emigrant history come alive on screen. Historian Elaine Farrell said: "It wasn't all good wives and mothers... We love that we can see their strong attitudes and defiance." While there is excitement about the film's production, both historians will remain focused on their research work.
In a new era of period dramas, it seems like this lesser-known chapter in Irish-American history may finally get the recognition it deserves.