• The Walsh Sisters in association with the BBC
• Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films to produce six-part series in association with Screen Ireland and Cineflix Right

RTÉ has announced The Walsh Sisters, a new six-part drama series based on celebrated Irish author Marian Keyes' best-selling novels about a chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable family of five sisters, a devout mother and a bemused father.

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 series is based on five of the Walsh Family novels by Marian Keyes, one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time, whose many accolades include being named the 2022 Author of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards. 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.

A multi-award-winning writing team has been signed to the project, consisting of Dublin-based screenwriter, author and actor Stefanie Preissner (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope) and writer and executive producer Kefi Chadwick (Rivals; Death in Paradise). The Walsh Sisters will be directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and produced by award-winning indies Cuba Pictures, based in London, and Irish based Metropolitan Films International, in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights is the exclusive worldwide distribution partner on the six-part series which has been pre-bought by the BBC for its viewers.

Marian Keyes said:

“This is SO exciting!!!! I'm beside myself! 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."

Stefanie Preissner said:

“It was such an honour to be asked to adapt Marian’s amazing books. Rachel’s Holiday was the first book I ever bought with my own money, and she has lived in my heart since that day. The team at Cuba are a joy and the whole process has been gorgeous. I cannot wait for everyone to see the magic we are making”.

David Crean, Head of Drama at RTÉ said:

“It’s beyond exciting to be able to announce the news that The Walsh Sisters is going into production. Marian Keyes is a much-loved author and Stephanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have brilliantly captured and re-imagined her world. 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.”

Dixie Linder, CEO at Cuba Pictures said:

“We are incredibly proud to bring The Walsh Sisters to life, working alongside such talented partners as RTÉ, BBC, Screen Ireland, Cineflix and Metropolitan. With the incomparable stories of Marian Keyes as our foundation, Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick have crafted a rich and heartfelt adaptation that captures the humour, 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.”

The series will shoot in early 2025.

For further information, please contact:

Maureen Catterson, Communications Manager, TV, Radio & Online

Cheryl Clarke, Mushroom Media