Margot Robbie's production company has announced a feature film adaptation of 'Bad Bridgets', a podcast and book about Irish women who turned to crime during their emigration to the US in the 19th century. The project will star Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones, and be directed by Rich Peppiatt, whose previous work includes the film Kneecap.
According to Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, the historians behind the book, the story of 'Bad Bridgets' is one that has long been overlooked. The two academics initially set out to research female Irish emigrants in Canada and the US as part of an academic project, but found themselves drawn into a hidden world of crime and survival.
The podcast and book delve into the stories of women such as Ellen Price, who was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, and Margaret Brown, also known as Old Mother Hubbard, who tried to escape from prison by tying bedsheets together. The researchers uncovered over 700 Irish sex workers in New York City during this time period, highlighting the shocking reality of the lives of women who were pushed to extremes by poverty and abuse.
The film adaptation will explore the story of two sisters who leave Ireland due to family violence and poverty, only to become embroiled in a world of crime and survival. While it's unclear how much creative control Farrell and McCormick will have over the final product, they are thrilled that their research is being brought to life on screen.
"I don't want to meet those women," Farrell said, "but I love that we can see their strong attitudes and defiance." The historians admit to still having day jobs, despite the excitement of a Hollywood premiere, but are excited to see how Peppiatt's vision brings their research to life.
According to Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, the historians behind the book, the story of 'Bad Bridgets' is one that has long been overlooked. The two academics initially set out to research female Irish emigrants in Canada and the US as part of an academic project, but found themselves drawn into a hidden world of crime and survival.
The podcast and book delve into the stories of women such as Ellen Price, who was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, and Margaret Brown, also known as Old Mother Hubbard, who tried to escape from prison by tying bedsheets together. The researchers uncovered over 700 Irish sex workers in New York City during this time period, highlighting the shocking reality of the lives of women who were pushed to extremes by poverty and abuse.
The film adaptation will explore the story of two sisters who leave Ireland due to family violence and poverty, only to become embroiled in a world of crime and survival. While it's unclear how much creative control Farrell and McCormick will have over the final product, they are thrilled that their research is being brought to life on screen.
"I don't want to meet those women," Farrell said, "but I love that we can see their strong attitudes and defiance." The historians admit to still having day jobs, despite the excitement of a Hollywood premiere, but are excited to see how Peppiatt's vision brings their research to life.
It's like, finally getting the recognition it deserves - these women's stories were hidden for so long and now they're gonna be told! I love how Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones are on board, they're gonna bring so much energy to those roles 
. And Rich Peppiatt's direction is gonna be amazing 
. I'm sure it's not always easy telling tough stories like this one, but Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick's passion shines through in their research. It's like, we can feel the strength and defiance of these women through their words and experiences 
. Can't wait to see how it all comes together! 
... remember when we used to wait 10 years for a good period piece? Now it's like they're popping up every other year and making a fortune off them 
. Anyway, this 'Bad Bridgets' thing sounds kinda interesting, I guess. Those Irish women who turned to crime during emigration to the US in the 19th century? That's some crazy stuff 
... I mean, I've heard of the term "wild west" but this is like something out of a bad Western movie! The thought of these women being pushed to such extremes by poverty and abuse? It's just heartbreaking 
. I hope they do the book justice, it would be so cool to see their stories on screen. Maybe we'll finally get some good historical dramas that don't feel like they're trying too hard or relying on tired tropes 
...
. And these 'Bad Bridgets' stories are literally like something out of a true crime novel 
.
. Rich Peppiatt's direction is also gonna be crucial in bringing this dark history to life... I'm excited to see how it all comes together 
This is so cool! I love when true stories get adapted into films, it's like bringing history to life 
. The idea of these "Bad Bridgets" who were just trying to survive and ended up getting into crime because of no other options is just heartbreaking 
It's amazing that historians Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick got drawn into this hidden world while researching female Irish emigrants in Canada and the US. They're right to be excited about their research getting made into a film 
The fact that we're learning more about these women's stories now is just amazing.
. We've seen so many adaptations of true stories coming out lately. It got me thinking, why is it that our history books only show us the 'good guys' and not the ones who were doing everything they could to survive? Like, what about the economic systems that forced people into poverty in the first place? Shouldn't we be exploring those too? I mean, I love a good drama as much as the next person, but let's not forget the root cause of the issue. The fact that these women were sex workers in a time when it was heavily stigmatized says so much about our society's treatment of women and marginalized groups. I'm all for representation on screen, but we need to make sure we're not just perpetuating the same old narratives without questioning the systems that led us here