EXCLUSIVE: The Walsh Sisters are coming to TV. Irish author Marian Keyes’ novels about the dysfunctional but loveable Walsh family of five sisters have inspired a six-part drama series for Irish pubcaster RTÉ. The BBC has acquired it for the UK.
England-based Cuba Pictures and Ireland-based Metropolitan Films International are joining forces to make the drama, which has the chops to become a returning series. It is being made in association with Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights is also on board and is selling the show globally.
The drama will revolve around five books about the Walsh Sisters by Keyes, who is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. “This is SO exciting! I’m beside myself!,” said the author, who is an exec producer on the show. “I love the scripts; they’ve really kept the spirit of the books. It’s been almost impossible to keep this a secret and it’s a great feeling that the news is now out in the world.”
Billed as a “comedy about serious things,” The Walsh Sisters is set in Dublin. It follows Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen. They navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s with in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and a few old wounds, but their DNA, history and a shared love of power ballads keep them together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood.
Dublin-based screenwriter, author, and actor Stefanie Preissner (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope) led the writing team on four of the six eps and is also an exec producer. Kefi Chadwick (Rivals) completed the team with two episodes. Ian FitzGibbon (Hullraisers) is attached as director.
“Marian Keyes is a much-loved author and Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have brilliantly captured and re-imagined her world,” said David Crean, Head of Drama at RTÉ. “It’s going to be a huge treat for audiences everywhere. I’m delighted to add this brilliant drama series to our slate for 2025 and beyond.”
The Walsh Sisters will shoot in early 2025 for a fall launch on RTÉ. It will then play on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Program Acquisition, said: “The Walsh Sisters novels have given so much pleasure to so many readers over the years, and we are truly delighted that such a wonderful team will be bringing these witty, warm, and oh-so-relatable characters to life.”
James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights, noted the international potential of the series as the distributor takes it to market: “Marian Keyes’ novels have millions of fans around the world, providing a ready-made audience for a series that will be hugely appealing to our global buyers.”
Dixie Linder, CEO at Cuba Pictures, said “Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have crafted a rich and heartfelt adaptation that captures the humor, resilience, and emotion at the heart of these beloved characters and with Ian FitzGibbon at the helm as director, we can’t wait to share the series with everyone.”
David McLoughlin, Producer and Company Director at Metropolitan Films International, added: “We are delighted to partner with Dixie and Cuba Pictures on this wonderful production, bringing together so many creative talents, and with our excellent funding partners RTÉ, BBC, Cineflix Rights and Screen Ireland.”
