The Walsh Sisters on BBC One: Five Irish sisters navigate 'love, loss, and chaos' in this 'darkly funny' new series
It's based on novels by bestselling author Marian Keyes
The Walsh Sisters, based on novels by acclaimed author Marian Keyes, is a “darkly funny” and “emotionally raw” drama coming to BBC One in 2026 – and we now have a confirmed start date.
The upcoming series premiered in Ireland on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player in September 2025, and is now coming to the Beeb in February.
The drama follows five Irish sisters who are “bound by love, history, and a tendency to self-destruct”. The series revolves around the chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable Walsh siblings, their devout mother and a perpetually bemused father…
Here’s everything you need to know about The Walsh Sisters on BBC One, including plot, cast, start date, and location.
What’s the plot of The Walsh Sisters?
In The Walsh Sisters, viewers are introduces to sisters Anna, Rachel, Claire, Maggie, and Helen as they navigate the “peaks and troughs” of their late 20s and 30s. Anna and Rachel share a flat in Dublin, where late nights and messy mornings are the norm. After a wild night out, tensions rise when Rachel’s addiction spirals out of control…
Her addiction sets off a chain of events that “shakes the entire family to its core”. Rachel is forced into rehab and must face the chaos she’s created. Meanwhile, an unexpected heartbreak leaves Anna reeling. And Claire is struggling to redefine herself as a single mother amid a divorce.
Maggie is desperate to start a family of her own, and youngest sibling Helen – stoic and sharp – watches everything from the sidelines and is hiding battles that no one can see.
The synopsis tells us: “As the sisters stumble through secrets, family feuds, and moments of grace, they each must confront who they really are and the roles they’ve always played. At its heart, it’s a story about messy love, painful growth, and the bonds that hold us together.”
Is The Walsh Sisters based on a book?
The new drama series is “inspired” by five of the novels from Irish author Marian Keyes. The series revolves around characters from five of her novels, including Rachel’s Holiday, and Anybody Out There.
Talking about the new series, Marian 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.”
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.”
The Walsh Sisters start date: How many episodes is it?
The upcoming comedy drama will be six episodes of 60 minutes each.
Ian FitzGibbon directed the drama. Comedy fans will know him best for Hullraisers, and Moone Boy. It’s produced in association with the BBC and Screen Ireland.
Stefanie Preissner, the Dublin-based screenwriter, author, and actor, known for RTÉ’s comedy drama Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, has adapted the novels and written the first four. Award-winning writer Kefi Chadwick (Rivals, Death in Paradise) wrote the remaining two episodes.
Where is The Walsh Sisters set?
The Walsh Sisters and their family live in Dublin, which is where the comedy is set. Cast and crew filmed in and around Dublin, too.
Filming locations included the grounds of Terenure College and Luttrellstown Castle. The series also features locations in central Dublin, including residential areas in Blackrock and coastal views of Merrion Strand.
What is the start date of The Walsh Sisters?
The Walsh Sisters will start on Saturday, February 14, 2016 at 9pm on BBC One – aka Valentine’s Day.
What better way to spend an evening avoiding the naff faux-romance!
A ‘comedy about serious things’
The BBC has billed the series as a “comedy about serious things”. The BBC describe it as a “pacey, brutally-honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister”.
We’re told: “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.”
Who’s in the cast?
The Walsh Sisters stars an almost-entirely Irish cast of names, both well known and less so.
Dublin-born Louisa Harland, 32, stars as Anna Walsh. Derry Girls will know her best as Orla McCool. But she’s also known for playing Kayleigh in Love/Hate, and Nell Jackson in Renegade Nell.
Caroline Menton, also from Dublin, portrays Rachel Walsh. This is her biggest role to date, having previously played Doris in All Creatures Great & Small.
Another Dublin-born actress, Danielle Galligan plays Claire Walsh. House of Guinness fans will recognise her from her role as Lady Olivia Hedges. The 33 year old also appeared in Obituary, Kin, and Shadow and Bone.
Stefanie Preissner stars as Maggie Walsh. Although she was born in Germany, Stefanie moved to Mallow, in County Cork when she was a child. The eldest of the ‘sisters’ at 38, she’s best known for creating comedy-drama Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope.
County Cork star Máiréad Tyers is Helen Walsh in the cast of The Walsh Sisters. The 28-year-old actress played Jen in the comedy Extraordinary, Susannah in My Lady Jane, and Vivienne Birch in Obituary.
Motherland actor Samuel Anderson stars as Aidan, while US actor Aidan Quinn portrays Daddy Walsh. Lastly, Hope Street and Smother actress Carrie Crowley plays Mammy Walsh.
