“Bad Bridgets”: From Academic Research to Hollywood Blockbuster Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones
A groundbreaking study of female irish emigrants in the 19th century, initially a niche academic pursuit, is poised for the big screen with a feature film starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the filmmaker behind Kneecap.
The story began as a deep dive into dusty archives by two history professors, seeking to illuminate the often-overlooked experiences of Irish women who emigrated to Canada and the US. these women,frequently relegated to the margins of history,were often impoverished and found themselves entangled with the law,living and dying in obscurity. But thier stories, unearthed through meticulous research in police, court, and prison records, have resonated far beyond the academic world.
The academics coined the term “Bad Bridgets” to describe these women – sex workers, thieves, and those struggling with addiction – and the moniker quickly gained traction, evolving into a popular podcast and a critically acclaimed book, Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Women in America. Now,the project is being adapted into a film.
The film, produced by LuckyChap Entertainment, known for its work on Barbie, will be directed by Rich Peppiatt. the narrative will follow the lives of these women as they are drawn into the dangerous underworld inhabited by the “Bad Bridgets.”
Peppiatt and his Kneecap producer, Trevor Birney, secured the rights to the historians’ book and will collaborate with luckychap on the project. The film will benefit from the talents of Oscar-winning production designer James price and costume designer Kate Hawley, with filming scheduled to begin in Ireland and Northern Ireland next year.
The historians acknowledge a degree of uncertainty about the final product. “I’d like to think we’ll have loads of influence over the film, but I suspect not,” one historian admitted. “It’s slightly scary because you’ve got your set ideas as historians, we think of things in particular ways. So there’s a bit of letting go.” However, they expressed trust in Peppiatt’s vision, noting his success with kneecap. “We’ll leave the film up to Rich. He is the expert and he has amazing ideas so we’re really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.”
The original research, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, challenged the prevailing narrative of Irish female emigrants as solely domestic servants, wives, and mothers known for their piety and hard work. The data revealed a stark reality: in the 1860s, Irish men comprised half of New York’s male prison population, while Irish women accounted for a staggering 86% of the female prison population. A survey of over 1,200 foreign-born sex workers in the city found that more than half – 706 – were Irish.
The research brought to light individual stories of defiance and hardship.Ellen Price, such as, appeared in a Toronto court in 1865 “drunk as usual, with a flaming red feather in her hat,” and responded to her imprisonment with a spirited rendition of “Rocky Road to dublin.” Margaret Brown, a pickpocket nicknamed “Old Mother Hubbard,” attempted a daring escape from a Chicago prison in 1877, only to be injured in the fall. Lizzie halliday, from County Antrim, was initially sentenced to death by electric chair for multiple murders, but the sentance was later commuted due to insanity.
Fans of the book and podcast have expressed appreciation for this nuanced portrayal of the Irish emigrant experience. “It wasn’t all good wives and mothers and nuns or teachers,” one historian explained. “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.”
While hoping that aspects of their “favorite Bridgets” will make it to the screen,the historians will continue their research and teaching.”The talk of premieres and all that is really exciting but we still have to do our day jobs,” one noted. Nevertheless, they allowed themselves a moment of playful anticipation. “That’s our main concern, you know, what we’ll wear for the red carpet.”
