Two of Britain’s most acclaimed young actors, Daisy Edgar-Jones (Twisters, Normal People) and Emilia Jones (CODA, Task), are set to headline Rich Peppiatt’s second feature film, Bad Bridgets. The project marks a major new collaboration between the BAFTA-winning filmmaker and LuckyChap Entertainment, the company behind Barbie, Saltburn, and Promising Young Woman.
A Story Rooted in Irish History and Female Defiance
Bad Bridgets takes inspiration from “Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women”, a groundbreaking book by historians Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. The narrative follows a young woman who, after receiving a mysterious letter, embarks on a perilous journey from famine-stricken Ireland to 19th-century New York. Once there, she becomes entangled with a community of Irish immigrant women—derisively referred to as “Bridgets”—who defy societal expectations in a city struggling to contain their unruly spirit.
The book and film’s title nods to how Irish women in the late 1800s were often stereotyped and criminalized in America. The adaptation, developed with the support of Queen’s University Belfast, promises to reframe that history through a lens of female agency, resilience, and rebellion.
Rich Peppiatt’s Follow-Up to Kneecap
For writer-director Rich Peppiatt, Bad Bridgets follows the remarkable success of his debut feature Kneecap (2024)—a raucous Irish-language comedy-biopic about the Belfast rap trio of the same name. Premiering at Sundance Film Festival, Kneecap became one of the year’s most talked-about indie films, winning the NEXT Audience Award and earning critical acclaim for its irreverent storytelling and cultural authenticity.
The film went on to secure BAFTA recognition, winning Outstanding Debut by a British Filmmaker and receiving a record number of nominations for a first feature. It also claimed seven British Independent Film Awards, five IFTAs, and was chosen as Ireland’s official submission for the 2025 Academy Awards, eventually making the International Feature shortlist.
Peppiatt’s rapid ascent from satirical journalist to award-winning filmmaker has made him one of the most closely watched new voices in U.K. and Irish cinema. With Bad Bridgets, he turns his focus from contemporary subcultures to historical displacement, exploring how gender, poverty, and identity collide in the immigrant experience.
The film is being produced by LuckyChap Entertainment, led by Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, and Josey McNamara, known for championing bold, female-led stories. The production aligns with LuckyChap’s ongoing interest in narratives of reinvention and resistance—seen in projects like I, Tonya and Barbie.
Peppiatt is also producing through his own banner, Coup d’État Films, alongside his Kneecap collaborator Trevor Birney. The company, launched in 2024, focuses on politically charged and culturally rooted storytelling from the U.K. and Ireland.
Sales for Bad Bridgets are being handled by FilmNation Entertainment, which will launch the project at the American Film Market (AFM). WME Independent will represent U.S. rights, with expectations already high given the combined pedigree of Peppiatt, LuckyChap, and the cast.
Behind the camera, Bad Bridgets has attracted top-tier talent. Oscar-winning production designer James Price, celebrated for his work on Poor Things, joins the project, along with costume designer Kate Hawley, whose credits include Crimson Peak and The Suicide Squad. Together, they are expected to recreate the grit and grandeur of 19th-century Ireland and New York, grounding the period aesthetic in emotional realism.
Filming is set to begin in Northern Ireland and Ireland in spring 2026, marking another major international production for the region’s growing film infrastructure.
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones the Rising and Stars at the Center
For Daisy Edgar-Jones, Bad Bridgets continues a run of complex and diverse roles following her breakout in Normal People and recent turn in Twisters. Emilia Jones, fresh off her acclaimed performance in the Oscar-winning CODA, brings emotional depth and determination to the ensemble. The pairing of the two Joneses—each known for authenticity and emotional range—promises a compelling dynamic as their characters navigate hardship and hope in a foreign land.
Both actors are represented by top agencies across the U.S. and U.K., signaling their growing global reach. Edgar-Jones is repped by UTA, B-Side Management, and Relevant, while Emilia Jones is with CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Artist Rights Group.
With its blend of historical scope, feminist energy, and cinematic craftsmanship, Bad Bridgets stands poised to become one of the most anticipated European productions of 2026. The film’s themes—migration, class, and female empowerment—resonate strongly in today’s cultural landscape, while its creative team brings a pedigree of artistry and audacity.
(Sources: Variety, RTÉ Entertainment)
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