RT in association with the BBC has announced the lead cast members for its new comedy drama series, The Walsh Sisters, inspired by the novels of international best-selling author Marian Keyes.The first season of The Walsh Sisters, which is currently in production, 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 in part based on two of Keyes's books, the blockbuster novels Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There. The comedy drama is produced by award-winning indies Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures, with producer Patrick O'Donoghue (The Tourist, Brooklyn, The Wonder) in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights as the exclusive worldwide distribution partner.
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 (House of Guinness; KIN, Spilt Milk; Shadow and Bone) brings oldest sister Claire to life and BAFTA-nominated M ir ad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays the fearless baby of the family, Helen. The final Walsh sister is 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 RT 's groundbreaking 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.
Adding Hollywood stardust to the line-up is Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy). Quinn has been tapped to play put-upon Jack Daddy' Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cail n Ci in; Hope Street; Smother), who recreates eccentric Mammy Walsh. American actress and personality Debi Mazar (Kaos, Younger) has signed up for the part of Chaquie.
Caroline Menton said: 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 added: Couldn't be happier to be part of the Walsh family. These books mean so much to so many. It's the dream job.
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 expos of the realities of being an Irish sister , The Walsh Sisters has commenced shooting for an autumn launch on RT , followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The executive producers on the series are RT 's head of drama David Crean and director of co-productions and acquisitions Dermot Horan; Cuba Pictures' joint CEOs Dixie Linder and Nick Marston; MetropolitanPictures producer and joint CEO David McLoughlin; Cineflix Rights' James Durie and Tom Misselbrook; Stefanie Preissner; and Marian Keyes and Tony Baines.
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RT Communications: adaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill
Mushroom Media: Cheryl Clarke
OH Communications: Mark Ogle
About The Walsh Sisters:
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 Irish novelists of all time.
About Marian Keyes:
Marian Keyes is the multi-million copy, internationally bestselling author of some of the most widely-loved, genre-defying novels of the past 30 years, including Rachel's Holiday, Anybody Out There and Grown Ups (Penguin Michael Joseph). She has amassed millions of fans around the world who are irresistibly drawn by her warmth and wit, fearless honesty, relatable characters and relationships, and sheer storytelling magic. Her books have explored some of the most challenging issues of our time, including addiction, immigration, depression, domestic violence and the Repeal the 8th campaign.
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. Rachel's Holiday, Keyes' darkly comic 1997 novel about alcohol addiction and rehab, was ranked 14th in The Sunday Times' 2024 list of the top 50 novels of the 20th century.
Keyes is a passionate champion of storytellers everywhere, playing an active role in encouraging the next generation of writers. She has been the chair of judges for the Comedy Women in Print prize, a sponsor of the Curtis Brown Creative Marian Keyes scholarship, and ran her own hugely popular Instagram Live series bringing free creative writing courses to thousands of viewers.
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