Production underway on second season of hit comedy drama The Walsh Sisters, for RTÉ, in association with the BBC

First look image released of cast on set

Stan returns as the Australian home for the new season, produced by Cuba Pictures, a VICE Studios company, and Metropolitan Pictures, with Cineflix Rights as the worldwide distribution partner   

Dublin/London: Production is underway on a second, six-part season of the hit comedy drama The Walsh Sisters for Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, in association with the BBC. Inspired by the novels of international best-selling author Marian Keyes, The Walsh Sisters is produced by Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures, with Cineflix Rights distributing internationally. Stan returns as the exclusive home for the new season in Australia. RTÉ and the BBC released a first look image of the five sisters on set to accompany the start of production announcement.

Season 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. Rachel steps 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; 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 Season Two 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.

Season One of The Walsh Sisters was RTÉ’s highest-rated drama of the past two years. The series 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!).

RTÉ Head of Drama David Crean said: “Season One was a huge hit with audiences everywhere. Marian Keyes’ beloved characters were brilliantly brought to life by Stefanie Preissner and directed with real affection by Ian Fitzgibbon.  The new scripts are fantastic, and we can’t wait for audiences to see Season Two of this great Irish drama.”

Dixie Linder, Executive Producer, Cuba Pictures, said: “One of the great joys of making The Walsh Sisters has been seeing how deeply audiences have embraced these characters and their wonderfully messy lives. Marian Keyes created an extraordinary family, and Stefanie Preissner has brought them to the screen with warmth and wit. The new season allows us to explore even more of what makes the Walsh sisters so compelling as they each face new challenges, while never losing sight of the humour and fierce love at the heart of the family. We’re delighted to continue this collaboration with our fantastic partners and can’t wait for audiences to return to the Walsh household.”

Tom Misselbrook, SVP Scripted Sales and Development, Cineflix Rights said: “We are such big fans of Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures’ adaptation of Marian Keyes’ novels. The series has been loved by viewers in Ireland, the UK, Australia and around the world, with audiences desperate to know when it would be coming back. We’re thrilled to be joining forces with them again and can’t wait to follow the sisters through the next chapter of their lives.”

The Walsh Sisters is adapted by Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope). 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 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 is the exclusive worldwide distribution partner.

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