THE WALSH SISTERS: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW BBC COMEDY DRAMA FROM MARIAN KEYES

The BBC and RTÉ have announced the lead cast members for new comedy drama series, The Walsh Sisters, inspired by the novels of international bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes.

The Walsh Sisters, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, (Hullraisers, Moone Boy), features a chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable family of five sisters, their mother and bemused father. It is part based on two of Keyes’ books, the blockbuster novels Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There.

The comedy drama is produced by Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films International, with producer Patrick O’Donoghue (The Tourist, Brooklyn, The Wonder) for Irish public broadcaster RTÉ in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights handle international distribution.

Headlining the cast are Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell, Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton (Oddity), taking on the role of one of Marian’s most-loved characters, sister Rachel. Danielle Galligan (Kin, Spilt Milk, Shadow and Bone) brings oldest sister Claire to life and BAFTA-nominated Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays the fearless baby of the family, Helen.

The final Walsh sister will be played by multi-hyphenate stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, How to Adult), who plays Maggie, ‘mammy’s favourite’.

In addition to appearing on screen as Maggie, Dublin-based Preissner, who created RTÉ’s ground-breaking comedy drama Can't Cope, Won't Cope, is entrusted with the adaptation of Keyes’ much-loved books. As the creative lead and writer across the series, Preissner is joined by Kefi Chadwick (Rivals; Death in Paradise) writing two episodes.

Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy) is playing put-upon Jack ‘Daddy’ Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin; Hope Street; Smother), who recreates eccentric Mammy Walsh. American actress Debi Mazar (Kaos, Younger) has signed up for the part of Chaquie.

Caroline Menton says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of The Walsh Sisters. Rachel is such a beloved character that has resonated with me and countless others around the world for nearly two decades. Hers is a story of hope and I feel so privileged to get the opportunity to bring Rachel to life and be a part of bringing Marian Keyes’ iconic Walsh family to the screen.”

Louisa Harland adds: “Couldn’t be happier to be part of the Walsh family. These books mean so much to so many.”

Other cast members include Gina Moxley who will play Josephine (The Patient Gloria, Here Before) and Jay Duffy (Wheel of Time, Northern Lights) who will play Rachel’s complicated love interest Luke Costello. Samuel Anderson (Amandaland, Landscapers) has also been cast as Aidan - Anna’s love interest.

Billed as “a comedy about serious things — a pacey, brutally honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister”, The Walsh Sisters (6x50’) will begin filming soon.

Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. But their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood.

Marian Keyes is one of the most successful novelists of all time. Her many accolades include five Irish Book Awards and being named Author of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards in 2022. Since her first novel was published in 1995, more than 39 million copies of Keyes’ books have been sold around the world, translated into 36 languages.

The executive producers are RTÉ’s head of drama David Crean and director of co-productions and acquisitions Dermot Horan; Cuba Pictures’ joint CEOs Dixie Linder and Nick Marston; Metropolitan Films’ producer and director David McLoughlin; Cineflix Rights’ James Durie and Tom Misselbrook; Stefanie Preissner; and Marian Keyes and Tony Baines.