Bad Bridgets Podcast Inspires Film: Explore the Untold Lives of Irish Women in the US!

The exploration began as a scholarly pursuit into the lives of Irish female emigrants in Canada and the U.S., initiated by two history professors. This research topic, while significant, might initially seem to be of limited interest.

The focus was on the overlooked individuals of Ireland’s widespread diaspora, whose lives were scarcely documented and largely forgotten.

These were destitute women and girls who had fallen afoul of the law, living and dying in poverty, merely marginal notes in the vast waves of migration that swept into New York, Boston, and Toronto during the 19th century.

However, the project took an unexpected turn when the professors delved into historical police, court, and prison records. They unearthed a forgotten chapter of female criminality and dubbed their subjects “Bad Bridgets”. This term later inspired a popular podcast, a book, and is now being adapted into a Hollywood movie.

Margot Robbie’s production company has taken on the task this week, announcing a film adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and directed by Rich Peppiatt, known for his work on the film Kneecap.

Elaine Farrell, a lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast, expressed excitement about this new venture. She highlighted the overwhelming positive feedback they’ve received, describing it as both amazing and heartwarming.

Leanne McCormick of Ulster University shared her mixed feelings about transitioning their research to film. She noted the challenges of letting go of their work but also the thrill of seeing it transformed by skilled professionals into something new and unique.

The storyline follows sisters, portrayed by Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones, who flee from a life of abuse and poverty in famine-stricken Ireland. They find themselves in New York, plunging into the murky world of the “Bad Bridgets,” encompassing sex workers, thieves, drunkards, and murderers.

The film’s production will see collaboration between Peppiatt and his Kneecap producer Trevor Birney with Robbie’s LuckyChap company. Esteemed professionals like Oscar-winning production designer James Price and costume designer Kate Hawley will also contribute, with shooting planned to start in Ireland and Northern Ireland next year.

Farrell acknowledged the limited influence they might have over the film, admitting to a bit of apprehension about relinquishing control over historical interpretations.

McCormick expressed confidence in Peppiatt, praising his impressive ideas and expertise, and looked forward to the film’s outcome.

Originally funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, their research challenged the typical portrayal of Irish female emigrants as merely domestic servants and mothers, uncovering a starkly different narrative.

In the 1860s, Irish immigrants represented a significant portion of New York’s demographic but disproportionately filled its prisons. A study showed that over half of the city’s foreign-born sex workers were Irish.

Their work brought to light vivid personal stories, such as Ellen Price, who regularly appeared in court intoxicated, or Margaret Brown, an infamous pickpocket who suffered a serious injury while attempting to escape prison. Another notable case was Lizzie Halliday, the first woman sentenced to die by electric chair in New York, though her sentence was later commuted due to insanity.

Fans of the book and podcast, which has recently launched its second season, have appreciated these insights into the darker aspects of the Irish emigrant experience, according to Farrell. She finds fascination in the defiant nature and strong attitudes of these women.

While the historians hope their work will be accurately represented on screen, they continue to focus on their academic responsibilities, balancing the excitement of Hollywood with their scholarly pursuits. McCormick humorously noted their anticipation for the red carpet, playfully pondering their future wardrobe choices.