Netflix has officially secured worldwide rights to Bad Bridgets, and the more I read about this project, the more it feels like the kind of prestige historical drama the streamer has been chasing lately.
Unlike Netflix’s bigger action franchises or headline-grabbing thrillers, Bad Bridgets appears to be aiming for something much more grounded and character-driven. Between the creative team, the historical setting, and the casting, this already feels like a project designed to attract serious attention once it finally arrives.
TL;DR
Netflix has picked up worldwide rights to Bad Bridgets, a new 19th-century drama from Rich Peppiatt starring Emilia Jones and Alison Oliver. Inspired by the nonfiction book about Irish immigrant women in New York, the film begins production in Ireland this summer and is likely headed to Netflix in 2027.
The film is being written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, who continues building momentum after gaining industry attention for his previous work. What immediately caught my eye, though, is the involvement of LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company founded by Margot Robbie.
LuckyChap has developed a reputation for backing projects with strong female-led storytelling and awards potential, so their attachment here says a lot about the direction this film may be heading creatively.
Netflix also seems to have landed two rising stars for the leads.
Emilia Jones is set to headline the movie alongside Alison Oliver, who reportedly replaces earlier casting attachments as the co-lead. Honestly, this feels like very smart casting for a period drama that will likely depend heavily on emotional performances and chemistry between its central characters.
Jones especially has continued to build strong momentum over the last few years, and this type of historical material feels like a natural next step for her career. Alison Oliver, meanwhile, has quickly become one of the more exciting young Irish actresses to watch, so pairing the two together gives the movie a strong foundation right away.
The story itself sounds far more intense than a traditional costume drama.
Bad Bridgets is inspired by the nonfiction book Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women. According to the current plot details, the film follows two sisters escaping famine-era Ireland after receiving a letter that changes their future. Their journey takes them to 19th-century New York, where they become involved with the so-called “Bridgets,” immigrant women connected to crime, survival, and social upheaval.
That premise instantly separates the movie from the safer historical dramas that often dominate streaming platforms.
Instead of focusing purely on romance or aristocratic politics, this story appears much more interested in survival, immigration, class struggle, and the chaos surrounding Irish communities trying to rebuild their lives in America. There is also clearly a revenge-driven edge to the narrative that could make the film far more intense than audiences may initially expect.
Production is reportedly scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026, with filming taking place across Belfast and multiple locations throughout the Republic of Ireland. That detail matters because it suggests Netflix is investing in a proper on-location production rather than relying heavily on studio work.
For a story this rooted in Irish history and identity, authenticity is going to matter.
The Irish landscape, architecture, and atmosphere could become a huge part of what makes the film visually stand out, especially if Peppiatt leans into a rawer and more grounded style instead of an overly polished historical aesthetic.
At the moment, Netflix has not announced an official release date, but I think a 2027 launch feels almost guaranteed.
With production beginning in summer 2026, the film will still need months of post-production work, festival positioning, and marketing preparation. A mid-to-late 2027 release window makes the most sense, especially if Netflix believes the movie has awards-season potential.
And honestly, it might.
Prestige historical dramas with strong performances, literary inspiration, and social commentary are exactly the type of projects that tend to break through during awards conversations, especially when backed by major streaming platforms.
Right now, Bad Bridgets feels like one of Netflix’s more serious and carefully assembled film projects currently moving toward production. Between the historical subject matter, the rising-star casting, and LuckyChap’s involvement behind the scenes, this already has the ingredients of a film that could generate significant attention long before release day.
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