Lola Petticrew’s first starring role was in Dating Amber back in 2020. But you would be forgiven for not recognising them until their breakout role in Say Nothing.
The Belfast actor won their first IFTA for the historical drama, chronicling the life of Dolours Price. Off the back of that success, Lola knew what they wanted their next role to be.
They wanted to star in an adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s novel, Trespasses. And through the power of manifestation, that dream came true.
Walking the red carpet at the IFTAs before collecting their second award in the space of two years, VIP Magazine caught up with Lola to talk about the role and her love for the book.
“It was a dream come true. The second that I read the book, I called my agent and said, ‘I think they’re going to make something out of this and I want to be a part of it.’,” they told us.
“I could just see it in my head. It just immediately translated to TV. Then, a few months later, when I got a call that I had an audition for Cushla, I couldn’t quite believe it. Then the nerves set in.
“Just getting to be a part of that world, Dawn [Shadforth] set it up so beautifully and Ailbhe’s [Keogan] writing is just fantastic. And obviously, the source material. It was just a dream come true. It was one of the greatest privileges of my career to be a part of that world.”
So what are they manifesting next?
“I don’t want to say in case I put it out to the universe and it doesn’t happen,” Lola laughs.
“I definitely want to continue to tell stories about Irish people, the people of the North, about underrepresented people. That’s why I do this job, and that’s why I love it.”