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BBC reveals new drama based on best-selling Marian Keyes novels – 24 years after last TV series

Marian's last adaptation starred a Hollywood actor and an EastEnders icon

THE BBC has revealed a new drama based on best-selling Marian Keyes novels - 24 years after her last TV series.

The Walsh Sisters is a new drama series inspired by five novels by celebrated Irish author and global bestseller Marian Keyes.

The cast of Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married with Zoe Eeles, Sam Loggin and Letitia Dean:
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The cast of Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married with Zoe Eeles, Sam Loggin and Letitia Dean:Credit: ITV
Actress Sarah Stockbridge starred in the ITV drama series Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married.
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Actress Sarah Stockbridge starred in the ITV drama series Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married.Credit: ITV
Marian Keyes has won multiple awards and is one of Ireland's most successful novelists
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Marian Keyes has won multiple awards and is one of Ireland's most successful novelistsCredit: Dean Chalkley - Commissioned by The Sunday Times Magazine

Filming began in early 2025 and will launch on RTÉ followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

The series charts the dysfunctional Walsh family, which consists of five loveable sisters, a devout mother, and a bemused father.

Set in their hometown of Dublin, The Walsh sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate their twenties and early thirties with all the trial and tribulations that brings.

Screenwriter Stefanie Preissner, known for RTÉ’s comedy drama Can't Cope, Won't Cope adapted the novels, and was joined by Rivals success, Kefi Chadwick, of Death In Paradise fame.

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Marian Keyes is among the most successful Irish novelists of all time, including international bestsellers Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There.

Since her first novel was published in 1995, more than 39 million copies of Marian's books have been sold worldwide and translated into 36 languages.

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.”

The Irish author's last adaptation was Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married, charting the escapades of 26-year-old Lucy.

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Lucy is a down-on-her-luck office worker from London with a dead-end job, bad taste in men, an alcoholic father, and annoying flatmates.

It was adapted into a 1999 television series for ITV starring PS I Love You heartthrob Gerard Butler and Eastenders Letitia Dean.

Lucy visits a fortune teller with her friends and learns she is about to get married much to her friends delight.

After some of the predictions come true, Lucy begins searching earnestly for Mr. Right.

Among her suitors are Gerard, who plays Gus Lucy's unreliable lover; Daniel, her oldest friend; Chuck, a handsome American; and Adrian, the video shop man.

There are also applicants from various drunken nights out, confessions and revelations along the way.

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