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There is a brand new family drama arriving on our screens, and it is one we have been looking forward to for quite some time. The Walsh Sisters has been adapted for television by the BBC, by Stefanie Preissner and Kefi Chadwick, bringing Marian Keyes’ much-loved characters to life for a whole new audience.
If you have ever laughed, cried or completely recognised your own family in the pages of a Marian Keyes novel, this series promises to feel very familiar indeed.
The drama airs on BBC One and is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer, making it perfect for either weekly viewing or a weekend binge.
What Is The Walsh Sisters About?
The Walsh Sisters is based on the bestselling series of novels following the lives of five unforgettable sisters – Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen – growing up in Dublin as part of a lively, complicated and deeply loving family.
Across the series, we see the sisters navigating adulthood in all its messy reality: relationships, heartbreak, identity crises, addiction, ambition and the unbreakable bond of family. Marian Keyes has always had a gift for blending humour with honesty, and this adaptation looks set to capture that balance beautifully.
For fans of character-driven storytelling with warmth, wit and emotional depth, this is one not to miss.
The Walsh Sisters Cast and Characters
- Louisa Harland as Anna
- Caroline Menton as Rachel
- Danielle Galligan as Claire
- Máiréad Tyers as Helen
- Stefanie Preissner as Maggie
- Carrie Crowley as Mammy Walsh
- Jay Duffy as Luke Costello
- Samuel Anderson as Aidan
- Aidan Quinn as Jack ‘Daddy’ Walsh
- Debi Mazar as Chaquie
- Gina Moxley as Josephine
The Walsh Sisters Books in Order
If you would like to read the books before (or after) watching the series, here they are in order:
Watermelon (1995) – Claire’s story and the first introduction to the Walsh family.
Rachel’s Holiday (1998) – Rachel’s unforgettable and often hilarious journey.
Angels (2002) – Maggie’s move to Hollywood and a marriage in crisis.
Anybody Out There? (2006) – Anna’s emotional and deeply moving story.
The Mystery of Mercy Close (2012) – Helen’s sharp wit takes centre stage.
Again, Rachel (2022) – A return to Rachel and the Walsh family years later.
Each novel focuses on a different sister, but together they build a rich, funny and heartfelt portrait of family life.
Why Did a TV Adaptation of The Walsh Sisters Take So Long?
Read this extract where Marian Keyes explains why a TV adaptionof The Walsh Sisters took so long to come about:
“Why it took so long. [tldr: I haven’t a rashers]
In the last twenty-seven years lots of my books were optioned, sometimes several times over, by different companies – but never got made. And honestly, I haven’t much of a clue why not. Sometimes the person who optioned the book left for another production company (this seems to happen a lot) while the book has to stay behind with the first company, do you get me? With people who didn’t option it and aren’t interested in it. And other times, there’s no obvious reason.
But very early on, I learnt to protect myself. For example, in 1998, myself and Himself were flown first class to Los Angeles because Hollywood mens had optioned Rachel’s Holiday. Himself and I were billeted in a fancy gaff on Sunset Boulevard and met many, many toothy, tanned types who almost knocked us over with their enthusiasm for the book, we were brought to several restaurants where people ordered and admired food but ate none of it. Three glorious days later, we bid a sad farewell to our gorgeous new friends, returned to Dublin… and never heard from them again.
Lol, as they say.
But even while I was getting love-bombed my soul was erecting crash barriers. Delightful as my new pals were I suspected they weren’t entirely… would we say sincere? I’m not saying they were bad people, ah no, nothing like that, the phrase ‘shower of lying fecks’ is a harsh one, I think that in the moment, they genuinely thought they loved me and they truly intended to come to Lahinch on their holidays and have bacon and cabbage in The Cornerstone and they genuinely believed their great-grandmother had been a McCarthy from Macroom. Nevertheless my inner voice counselled, Proceed with caution. Do not buy your dress for the premier just yet.
And I was right because when, a year later, the option ran out and wasn’t renewed, I wasn’t devastated. Not delighted, either, I wasn’t dancing around, flinging my hat in the air, singing Oh Happy Day. But I remembered how much I love writing books, that books are enough on their own and don’t require the validation of existing in another format. (I have been saying this for a long time, in ever more passive-aggressive tones, my emphasis shifting away from passive and in favour of aggressive…)
In 2018, yet another production company (Cuba Productions) optioned some of the books about the Walsh sisters, proposing a different approach – instead of a show focusing on a lone sister, say, Rachel, or Helen, or Maggie, it would feature ALL of them, at the same time. And instead of setting it in the year the books were in, they’d be bang right up to date! (To 2018, as it was then.) (It’s now set in 2025.)
My approval was sought and I believe my gracious response was, “You can set it in 1066 and on the surface of the moon, for all I care. Or how about the Stone Age where the sisters are played by otters – c’mon, everyone loves otters! – and I recommend the dialogue be early Icelandic verse.” Because what did it matter? I’d had so many conversations with production companies over the years and nothing had ever come of any of them.
The one thing I did do was recommend a writer (the fabaliss Stefanie Preissner) to adapt the books. I knew her, I was immensely fond of her and loved and respected her work.
But apart from that I put the whole idea into a small, tightly locked box in my head, slammed the door shut and got on with things. Life happened, my dad died, I wrote Grown Ups, the pandemic began, I wrote Again, Rachel, the pandemic came to an end, I wrote My Favourite Mistake.
During this time, I had to have occasional meetings with the producer (the magnificent Dixie Linder, who kept the faith when lesser mortals may not have), Stef and other ‘attached’ executives. Every couple of years a script or two would be sent for my comments but I never let myself consider that the show would actually be made because it’s the hope that kills you.
Sometime in 2024, Dixie asked for a meeting, she even said she’d come to Dublin (from London) and I thought, Ah lads! Do I have to get dressed and go into town and sit upright just to listen to more time-wasting sweet nothings?
Reluctantly I agreed to a Zoom call. So Stef and Dixie were on screen, chatting away enthusiastically about the finance they’d raised and the wonderful reception the scripts had received and I was smiling hard and wishing they’d hurry up because I had bins to wash, bikini-lines to pluck and other important jobs.
THEN!!!! Yes, THEN!!!!! Stef says, “Lookit, I’ve to go, I’ve got a roomful of Rachels out there, waiting to audition.” And I sat bolt upright like a meerkat who’s had an electric shock.
“Wait now!” sez I. “AUDITION? FOR WHAT? Do you mean, it’s actually happening?????????”
And yes, it was!
Suddenly things began to move very quickly: actors, a director, locations, chemistry reads, costume fittings, loads of stuff. It transpired I was an ‘executive producer’ which meant that I was kept apprised of all casting decisions etc but had no actual power, which suited me grand.
Let me explain. I know nothing about how good or not actors are. If it were down to me, I’d have only cast actresses with black hair for Anna and Helen because that’s how I ‘saw’ them in my head. But now I get that this is only a skin-deep understanding of characterisation and as it happens, the AMAZING Louisa Harland who plays Anna has the precise emotional intelligence and warmth of ‘my’ Anna. And the WONDERFUL Mairead Tyers has so internalised the wildly dissatisfied Helen, that even the way she stood was ‘my’ Helen.
Every one of the actors is brilliant. Caroline Menton who plays Rachel so BEAUTIFULLY avoided every yawn-y cliche of an active addict and instead captured the nuances that are rarely depicted on screen – the denial, the normalisation, the manipulation and the unexpected charm.
I’ll never forget the first time Himself and myself went to see the filming. There was an army of people running around with ipads, walkie-talkies, light-gaugers. Massive cameras stood on trolleys, hair and make-up was hovering, the director was in intense conversation.
In the scene, Claire, Maggie and Helen were going to visit Rachel in rehab and the building chosen looked uncannily similar to the place where I’d gone for treatment. Then someone yelled, “Action!” And we’re off!
Here comes Claire, strutting along in her gold-rimmed sunglasses, clutch bag and oversized blazer. Then Helen, who definitely looks ‘off’: her trousers were slightly too short, her angry little fists were shoved into the pockets of her bomber jacket, her knuckles visible through the fabric, every inch of her radiating disgust and disdain. And poor Maggie, in her navy suit and invisible clipboard, chivvying them along, pleading for good behaviour.
It was as if these women had walked straight out of my head and into real life.
I felt confused, proud, tearful, elated. Behind me, very quietly, Himself said, “I feel really emotional.” Both of us have lived with these characters for over thirty years and honestly, seeing them personified was huge.
The structure of each book has been altered to fit into this new medium but what I appreciate is that the feel of the show is the same as the books. There’s a great warmth. The five sisters and Mammy Walsh live in a state of bickery enmeshment, insults are used to convey affection and sorrow is hidden inside humour.
There are so many details I love – the relationship between Maggie (played by Stef) and her husband Garv (played by Stephen Mullan) is hugely touching, sweet and very funny.
I pure adore Daddy Walsh, played by absolute legend Aidan Quinn!!! (Shoutout to every woman who fell in love with him in Desperately Seeking Susan, Legends of the Fall or Practical Magic.) (I can also confirm he is one of the nicest men I’ve ever met.) He and beloved Irish actor Carrie Crowley, who plays Mammy Walsh, are brilliant together.
Rachel’s rehab roommate is played by another legend, the hilarious and slightly terrifying Debi Mazar.
But they’re all great.
And it’s really funny. The new dialogue Stefanie has introduced is tonally in keeping with the books. (There’s a scene in episode 6 that I’ve watched countless times and I laugh myself sick on every go. All I will say is ‘Vaping’.)
As I said, it features all the sisters, but this season focuses on Rachel and Anna. Season 2 (fingers crossed) plans to highlight Helen and Maggie. And I can’t tell you how proud I am of it all. It gets better with each new episode and I really really hope you enjoy it.”
The Walsh Sisters Official Podcast with Marian Keyes
After each episode, listen to the official podcast of The Walsh Sisters with Marian Keyes and Stefanie Preissner, plus special guest actors from the show.
Why We Are Excited
At Diary of the Evans-Crittens, we love stories centred around family life in all its chaos and comfort. The Walsh Sisters feels like exactly that kind of drama – relatable, heartfelt and filled with strong female characters who are allowed to be complicated and real.
There is something timeless about sisterhood stories. The disagreements, the loyalty, the shared history and the moments that make you laugh even when you probably should not. Marian Keyes’ writing has always celebrated that beautifully, and seeing it translated to the screen is something special.
Whether you are already a long-time reader or completely new to the Walsh family, this series offers the perfect introduction.
Win a Copy of Watermelon
To celebrate the premiere of The Walsh Sisters on BBC, we are giving one reader the chance to win a copy of Watermelon – the very first Walsh Sisters book.
If you would love to revisit where it all began with Claire’s story – or discover the Walsh family for the first time enter the Gleam competition below. Remember to read the terms and conditions- good luck!
We cannot wait to settle down and watch The Walsh Sisters, and we would love to hear your thoughts too. Will you be tuning in?
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A great gift for my wife
I would give this to my wife as it sounds like the sort of book she would like to read.
I have read books by the author before and enjoyed them
It looks like a really good and unique read
being part irish, I know first hand anything based on ireland will be hilarious as our sense of humour is the best
I love Marian Keyes and would like to win Watermelon to give to my friend.
I’d love to win Watermelon because Marian Keyes writes the kind of stories that feel like a long chat with a friend who tells you the truth, makes you laugh, and hands you hope in the same breath. Starting the Walsh Sisters journey again — especially with the BBC bringing them to life — feels like the perfect excuse to fall back in love with her world
I’ve always been a fan of Marian Keyes books and I haven’t read this one
I love marian keyes she’s one of my favourite authors so this book is bound to be good
Marian Keyes is my favourite author and the book looks great
This is a bit different to the things that I usually read so I’d love to give it a try.
I love this amazing author, what a fantastic prize
I’ve read some of her other books and enjoyed them.
I just love reading!
Ha ha! I’m still laughing over her story above of how The Walsh Sisters came onto our screen. She has a fabulous way with words and I would love to read this so much.
Author
I had to include it! But didn’t realise quite how long it was until I pasted! 🤣 xxx
This looks like a great story I would enjoy
I love Marion Keyes and I’m always looking for my next read!
A great gift for my partner
Because im obsessed with reading
It looks like something I’d enjoy reading.
I enjoy humorous, funny books, so this might hit the spot.
I would love to read it because I have thoroughly enjoyed her books
I could use something new to read, as this looks like it would be something I’d normally buy.
I am an avid reader and although I have heard a lot about this author, as yet not read any of her books but would welcome the chance to read Watermelon.
My Mum enjoys Marian Keyes books so we can both read this!
I would like to win a copy of Watermelon for my Mum who loves reading and likes this genre of books.
What a lovely giveaway! The Walsh Sisters sounds like a great read — fingers crossed!
Lovely giveaway, fingers crossed!
What a lovely giveaway! The Walsh Sisters sounds like a brilliant read – perfect for fans of family drama on the BBC. Fingers crossed!
Exciting giveaway to celebrate The Walsh Sisters arriving on BBC – fingers crossed!
What a lovely giveaway! The Walsh Sisters sounds like a wonderful read — I’d love to win a copy. Fingers crossed!