Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films to produce six-part series in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights

Dublin/London

3rd December, 2024 - Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has announced The Walsh Sisters, a new 6x60’ returnable drama series inspired by five of the novels from celebrated Irish author and global bestseller, Marian Keyes. The series features the chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable Walsh family of five sisters, a devout mother and a bemused father.

The Walsh Sisters will be directed by Ian FitzGibbon (Hullraisers, Moone Boy) 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 acquired by the BBC.

Stefanie Preissner, the Dublin-based screenwriter, author, and actor, known for RTÉ’s groundbreaking comedy drama Can't Cope, Won't Cope, was entrusted with adapting the novels, leading the writing team with four episodes. The award-winning writer Kefi Chadwick (Rivals, Death in Paradise) completes the team with two episodes.

The series revolves around characters from five of the novels by Marian Keyes, one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time, including international bestsellers Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There (Penguin Michael Joseph). Marian’s 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.

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.”

The series, which will shoot in early 2025 for an autumn launch on RTÉ followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One, is billed as a ‘comedy about serious things — a pacey, brutally honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister’.

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 Stefanie 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.”

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme 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.”

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 Pictures are a joy and the whole process has been gorgeous. I cannot wait for everyone to see the magic we are making.” 

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.

Dixie Linder (McMafia, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and soon to be released The Rumour) 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 Rights and Metropolitan Films. 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.”

David McLoughlin (KIN, The Tourist 2, and Wednesday 2), Producer and Company Director at Metropolitan Films International, said “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.”

James Durie (Virdee, Last King of The Cross, Happily Married) Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with RTÉ, the BBC and the brilliantly talented teams at Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films on The Walsh Sisters. 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.” 

The Executive Producers are RTÉ’s Head of Drama, David Crean, and Director of Co-productions and Acquisitions, Dermot Horan; Cuba Pictures’ joint CEOs Dixie Linder and Nick Marston; Metropolitan Films Producer and Director David McLoughlin; and James Durie and Tom Misselbrook for Cineflix Rights; Stefanie Preissner; and Marian Keyes and Tony Baines.

About RTÉ

Ireland’s national television and radio broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) strives to enrich Irish life with television, radio and online content that challenges, educates and entertains, celebrates the country’s rich diversity and cultivates home-grown talent. Launched in 1961, it is one of the oldest continuously operating public-service broadcasters in the world.

Headquartered in Dublin, RTÉ’s current network consists of four main TV channels — RTÉ One, RTÉ2, RTÉjr, and RTÉ News — alongside a number of FM radio stations and digital radio services. The broadcaster also operates online services, including streaming service RTE Player, and a news website and app.

About Cuba Pictures

Cuba Pictures is a BAFTA, Emmy, RTA, and BIFA-winning production company celebrated for high-profile TV and film projects. TV highlights include McMAFIA with James Norton (BBC One/AMC), based on Misha Glenny’s bestseller and winner of the 2019 International Emmy for Best Drama, Coalition (RTS Award for Best Single Drama), Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell starring Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel (multiple BAFTA-winner), and Paula with Denise Gough (BBC Two/RTE which one the IFTA for best screenplay).

Film credits include Boy A with Andrew Garfield (BAFTA-winning), Broken with Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy (including best film BIFA), The Ones Below with David Morrissey, and London Road with Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy and The Delinquent Season starring Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott.

In collaboration with The National Theatre, Cuba produced 4 films including Romeo and Juliet with Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor (RTS-nominated) and Death of England: Face to Face (BAFTA/RTS-nominated). Most recently, Cuba produced The Chemistry of Death, an adaptation of Simon Beckett’s crime novels, which premiered on Paramount+ in 2023.

Currently Cuba is in production on The Rumour, an adaptation of Lesley Kara’s bestselling novel.

About Metropolitan Films International:

With more than 25 years of experience in film and television production, Metropolitan Films International, in association with its global network of partners, develops, produces and provides a comprehensive suite of production services to international film and television projects locating in Ireland.

Metropolitan’s numerous award-winning feature film co-productions include Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin, for Fox Searchlight,; Disney’s Disenchanted, the sequel to 2007’s Enchanted; Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, for Fox, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jodie Comer; Silver for Constantin Film & Amazon Studios and most recently Fifth Season’s & Lionsgate’s gripping political thriller Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Zoey Deutch.

Current projects in production include Wednesday Season 2 for MGM/Netflix; Harry Wild Season 4, for Acorn & ZDF starring Jane Seymour, Sanctuary Season 2 for AMC, and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls for Hat Trick & Netflix. Metropolitan has also produced a wide variety of critically acclaimed television series, including the award-winning Irish crime drama KIN seasons 1 & 2 for BRON Studios, AMC, RTÉ and Screen Ireland, acquired by BBC and Netflix, The Tourist 2, starring Jamie Dornan, for Two Brothers Pictures, BBC & All3Media, Vikings and Valhalla for MGM and Netflix, Penny Dreadful for Showtime; Greta, directed by Neil Jordan for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Universal, and Into The Badlands for AMC.

About Cineflix Rights

Cineflix Rights is the UK’s largest independent TV content distributor to broadcasters and streamers worldwide with a catalogue of standout scripted series and movies as well as must-watch, long-running factual brands.

Our scripted slate features the new crime drama Virdee, based on the best-selling books by A.A. Dhand, for BBC; the return of the international cult sensation with a Wynonna Earp: Vengeance special for Tubi; dystopian thriller Heart Attack for Fuji TV; and 2024 Séries Mania Official Selection, So Long, Marianne, inspired by the love story between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen. These new titles join returning seasons of International Emmy® Best Drama Award-winning espionage series Tehran for Apple TV+, Paramount+ Australia’s crime drama Last King of The Cross; Reginald the Vampire starring Spider-Man’s Jacob Batalon for SYFY US; Irvine Welsh’s Crime with Dougray Scott in his International Emmy® award-winning role for ITVX/BritBox, and Acorn TV’s cozy crime procedural Whitstable Pearl.

Entertaining the world since 2002, Cineflix Rights is based in London, and is part of the Cineflix Media group of companies.

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 thirty years - such as 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 Eighth campaign.

Marian 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 most ran her own hugely popular Instagram Live series bringing free creative writing courses to thousands of viewers.

Both critically acclaimed and commercially unstoppable, Marian’s sixteenth novel, My Favourite Mistake – was an immediate No. 1 bestseller in five global territories: UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, a No. 1 Audible bestseller and one of Audible’s audiobooks of the year – My Favourite Mistake will be published in paperback on 13th February 2025. In addition to her novels, Marian has written two collections of journalism, one of which was used as the inspiration of her hit BBC Radio 4 show Between Ourselves. She also co-presents the popular BBC Radio 4 podcast Now You’re Asking with actress Tara Flynn, which has been praised by Guardian for its ‘warm-hearted joy’. Marian is based in Dublin.