Comedy drama The Walsh Sisters is returning to the BBC with a second six-part series.
Inspired by the novels of international best-selling author Marian Keyes, series two of The Walsh Sisters rejoins the chaotic, dysfunctional, but deeply loveable family of five sisters, their mother, and bemused father in their Dublin hometown.
Series two sees Rachel step outside the family bubble to navigate recovery on her own terms, but an encounter with a familiar face tests her newfound independence; Claire defies the traditional expectations placed on her as a mother compared to her ex’s responsibilities as a father; Maggie’s quest to become the perfect family takes an unexpected turn at a marital crossroads; Helen becomes overprotective of her sisters while struggling with her emotional wellbeing; and Anna tries some unusual methods to get over heartbreak.
Individually, all five sisters are forced to confront their true identities as the roles in life they’ve previously played seemingly no longer fit. Meanwhile, Daddy Walsh remains blissfully oblivious to the family drama, focused entirely on his quest to land a part in the local amateur dramatic musical—much to the exasperation of Mammy Walsh. At its heart, the series remains true to its signature ‘Walsh dynamic’ with a fierce, hilarious, and unbreakable bond of sisterhood.
New cast members include Peter Coonan (Bad Sisters, Peaky Blinders) as David, Rachel’s fellow recovering addict; Aislín McGuckin (Normal People, The Miniaturist) as Patsy Costello, Luke’s mother; Art Campion (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Blue Lights) as an old schoolfriend of the sisters; and Fay Ripley (Cold Feet, Suspects) as marriage counsellor Sharon.
They join a returning cast led by Caroline Menton (Oddity) as Rachel, Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, Spilt Milk, Shadow and Bone) as Claire, Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) as Helen, Stefanie Preissner (How to Adult) as Maggie, and Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell, Love/Hate) as Anna. Also returning are Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy) as Jack ‘Daddy’ Walsh and Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin, Hope Street, Smother) as Mammy Walsh.
Stefanie Preissner continues as creative lead and writer on the series, with this season based on Marian Keyes’ novels The Mystery of Mercy Close and Angels.
The first series of The Walsh Sisters was widely praised by critics who called it “the best drama of the year so far” (Daily Telegraph) and “so addictive I couldn't tear myself away” (Daily Mail), and said, “what makes this series so utterly relatable and loveable is its juxtaposition of light and shade” (Hello!).
The Walsh Sisters was acquired for BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Cineflix Rights. It is produced by Cuba Pictures, a VICE Studios company, and Metropolitan Pictures for RTÉ in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland, and Cineflix Rights. The series is adapted by Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope). The executive producers are Dixie Linder and Nick Marston for Cuba Pictures, David McLoughlin for Metropolitan Pictures, David Crean and Dermot Horan for RTÉ, Tom Misselbrook for Cineflix Rights, along with Stefanie Preissner, Marian Keyes, and Tony Baines. Patrick O'Donoghue serves as Producer. Cineflix Rights handle international distribution.
