In another debut, rising star Ailbhe Keogan (who co-wrote the RTS Award-nominated Bad Sisters with Sharon Horgan), has landed her first lead writing credit having adapted the story for a four-part series.

Lola Petticrew (Bloodlands) and Tom Cullen (The Gold) will star as the forbidden lovers, Cushla and Michael, who meet one fateful night in Belfast, 1975, while Cushla is bartending her family pub.

A diverse crowd frequents the pub, including locally stationed soldiers. But Cushla is a Catholic schoolteacher, so when she meets Michael, an older Protestant barrister who often defends IRA suspects, she knows a relationship would only spell further trouble. 

Meanwhile, Gillian Anderson (Sex Education) will star as Cushla’s mother Gina, a “glorious wreck” who is always fighting with her daughter.

Lead writer Keogan says “the whole scripting process has been remarkably pain-free as the team was guided by their love of Louise's stunning novel.

“This show will be political, cinematic, sensual, moving, and, despite the heartbreak, ultimately hopeful.”

Kennedy, who wrote the original novel but is also executive producing the series, adds: “From Ailbhe Keogan’s ear-perfect, sexy script to director Dawn Shadforth’s gorgeously melancholic aesthetic vision, exceptional care has been taken to bring an authentic and beautiful version of my book to the small screen.”

Further cast and transmission details are yet to be announced, but Channel 4 has confirmed that filming will start this autumn in Belfast.