The BBC/RTÉ co-production also stars Extraordinary‘s Máiréad Tyers.
The BBC have announced the eight leading cast members of The Walsh Sisters. The forthcoming comedy drama series takes its inspiration from the bestselling novels of author Marian Keyes.
Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon (Moone Boy), the show 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.
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.
The show is billed as “a comedy about serious things — a pacey, brutally honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister.”
The cast
The show is led by Louisa Harland (Renegade Nell) as the troubled Anna, and Caroline Menton (Oddity), playing Rachel. Danielle Galligan (Kin) is the oldest sister Claire, while Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary) plays the fearless baby of the family, Helen.
The final Walsh sister will be played by Stefanie Preissner (How to Adult), who plays Maggie, ‘mammy’s favourite’. As well as appearing in the shoe, Preissner has adapted Marian Keyes’ much-loved books. She’s joined by Kefi Chadwick (Rivals, Death in Paradise) who writes two episodes.
Aidan Quinn (Elementary) plays put-upon Jack ‘Daddy’ Walsh alongside Carrie Crowley (Hope Street) as the eccentric Mammy Walsh. Plus, Debi Mazar (Kaos) has signed up for the part of Chaquie. Also in the cast are Gina Moxley, Jay Duffy and Samuel Anderson (Amandaland).
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.”
The six-part comedy drama comes from producers Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films International, with producer Patrick O’Donoghue (The Tourist) for RTÉ, in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland.
The Walsh Sisters begins filming soon.