Latest news with #LouisaHarland
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Marian Keyes on casting The Walsh Sisters: ‘The big worry was who is playing Luke Costello?'
When Marian Keyes first visited the set of The Walsh Sisters, the upcoming RTE drama series based on her books, seeing the cast in action she says, was like watching her characters emerge straight off the page and into real life. 'They weren't even being filmed at the time, but all five of them [the sisters] were talking together and they were just this ball of chat…it was like they'd walked out of my head, they looked exactly like how I imagined them,' she says. The new six-part drama series, which will be on our screens this autumn, is based on characters from five of Keyes' novels, including Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There. Set in Dublin, it follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate relationships, heartache, addiction and parenthood. Louisa Harland (Derry Girls), Stephanie Preissner (Can't Cope, Won't Cope) and rising talent Caroline Menton (Oddity), are just some of the names headlining the cast. READ MORE Although the casting of the five sisters was important to get right, it was the casting of Luke Costello, Rachel's complicated love interest, which Keyes says was really crucial. 'It was the big worry as far as everyone was concerned,' she says. 'I was getting literal letters, threatening letters, saying: 'Who is playing Luke Costello',' she laughs. In the end, the role was given to an actor from Dublin called Jay Duffy. He's the son of former Boyzone member, Keith Duffy. Of his casting, Keyes says: ' It was the only bit of casting that I felt that I could kind of get down on my knees and plead about. So I mean, I did go to them and say: 'don't f**k this up', because it just mattered to too many people.' The highly anticipated Walsh Sisters isn't the only TV adaptation in the works for Keyes. Her 2021 novel Grownups is currently being adapted for Netflix, with filming on the project due to begin later this year. Screenwriter and producer Samantha Strauss, the woman behind Apple Cider Vinegar and Nine Perfect strangers, has been tasked with bringing the novel to life. Other than the fact that it is being filmed in Ireland, Keyes says she can't share much else, especially not about the casting. 'I'll get into too much trouble,' she adds. You can listen back to this conversation with Marian Keyes, recorded live from Kildare Village in the player above, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was recorded as part of The Women's Podcast Live Book Club summer reads event. You can check out the full list of summer reading recommendations from the event here.
Metro
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
All episodes of 'thrilling' axed historical drama dropping on free UK streamer
There's an unmissable swashbuckling period drama to add to your watchlists, as viewers will soon be able to watch the entire show for free. Starring Derry Girls alum Louisa Harland, the swaggering 18th-century period drama Renegade Nell found a dedicated fanbase when it was released last year on Disney Plus. Harland plays a young widower turned highwaywoman robber, who has some special superpowers to boot, and all eight episodes will soon be available to binge on ITVX. When she's framed for a murder in Tottenham, Nell is forced on the run with a ragtag group while the elites in the upper echelons of English society have twigged on to her powers she is forced to save the country. Nell is helped by a miniature Nick Mohammed, of Ted Lasso and soon-to-be Slow Horses fame, as the mystical sprite Billy Blind. The show is from the mind of Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright – who is clearly no stranger to writing indomitable female leads – and directed by Sex Education's Ben Taylor, so the combined result is a show with superb production value. Better yet, Renegade Nell was previously behind the Disney Plus paywall but will be streaming on ITVX from Sunday, June 22 – just in time for a weekend binge. However, be warned: the show has already been cancelled by Disney – even with a score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes – so might be best not to become overly attached to the characters. When the axe was officially announced, Disney Plus released a statement to Deadline, reading: 'We're incredibly proud of the world created by Sally Wainwright and lead director Ben Taylor. 'We'd like to thank them, our production partners at Lookout Point, the entire cast – led by Louisa Harland – and crew for their incredible work on this series, all of whom we hope to work with again in the future.' The cancellation was made all the worse because director Ben Taylor told RadioTimes the second season was already being written when the first was released, adding that they were working a time jump into the show. Viewers who have come late to Renegade Nell have already expressed their disappointment that they won't be able to return to this world. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), @Crowbarella wrote: 'I seem to have this habit of finding awesome shows after they've already been canceled. #RenegadeNell.' More Trending 'Continuing my Cancelled Shows tour I've just started Renegade Nell on Disney Plus and one episode in my kids and I have found it utterly thrilling, funny, tragic, surprisingly and, above all, super entertaining,' wrote @alundpughe. 'Very much recommended!' @AnthonyShannon2 wrote: 'Finished Renegade Nell on Disney Plus and it was quite terrific. 1 of the most thrilling things I've seen in quite a while. 'Period storytelling of a highly imaginative quality headed by the truly phenomenal Louisa Harland. Hope there will be season 2…' View More » Renegade Nell will be available to stream on ITVX from Sunday, June 22. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I'm a TV critic – here's 7 shows I'm bingeing in June MORE: Completely free streaming service adds 'bingeable' new drama perfect for Pride Month MORE: Emmerdale pulled from ITV schedules amid huge death story
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
First look revealed of RTE's brand new drama starring Derry Girls actress and nepo baby
THE first look has been revealed of RTE's brand new drama filled with familiar faces. , in association with ' popular fictional book series about The Walsh Sisters to life with a new six-part drama series. Advertisement 3 The Walsh Sisters is set to air on RTE One this autumn 3 Derry Girls actress Louisa Harland will star in the comedy series 3 Keith Duffy's son, Jay, will star as the 'complicated love interest' Set in their The Walsh Sisters will see a sisterhood full of inside-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. The Walsh RTE have given fans a sneak peek look of what the five sisters look like in the upcoming series. Advertisement READ MORE IN RTE Headlining the cast is Louisa Harland, who is widely-known for her role in the hit Rising Irish talent Caroline Menton, stars as one of Marian's most loved characters, sister Rachel. The Dubliner is donning a new look for the series with a messy fringe and has striking red lipstick on in the teaser. Shadow and Bone star Danielle Galligan, plays the eldest sister Claire, as is seen embracing Caroline while wearing some hoop earrings. Advertisement Most read in News TV While BAFTA-nominated Mairead Tyers is embracing her jaw-dropping ginger curly locks as Helen. The final Walsh sister, Maggie, who's played by stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner, is bang smack in the middle of the gorgeous snap. Fair City star returns on air Also in the show is Legends Of The Fall star, Advertisement Speaking on the series adaption, Marian Keyes said: "It's impossible to overstate how thrilled I am with this production. Stefanie Preissner's scripts alchemised the vibe of my novels into a new and compelling thing. 'DEEPLY MOVING' Keyes admitted that the actresses chosen to play her novels characters "astonished" her as she added: "Their warm, bickery engagement feels just like a family." The Marian visited the set whilst filming took place and told how the series is incredibly funny but also "dark and deeply moving". Advertisement She continued: "This probably sounds like a strange thing to say but even if I wasn't involved in this, I'd be dying to see it." The Walsh Sisters was adapted from Keyes' novels by Stefanie Preissner and is directed by Ian Fitzgibbon. It is produced by Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures for RTE in association with the
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Hunted' Finds New Homes; India-Japan Anime Pact; ‘Limitless Win' Renewed; Irish Shows Sell In Europe; Studio 99 Production Chief
'Hunted' Finds Homes In Sweden, Belgium & Botswana Civilians and celebrities will go on the run in Sweden, French-speaking Belgium and Botswana. Banijay Entertainment has struck deals placing adrenaline-fuelled reality series Hunted in the countries, taking the UK format's total global rollout to 12 territories. In Sweden, Banijay-owned Meter/Jorowskij will produce a version for Kanal 5 and Max, while Banijay Belgium is producing the Belgian version for RTL-TVI. In Botswana, Banijay Rights' local partner Botswana Ignite. The series sees contestants become fugitives attempting to evade elite trackers to win a cash prize. More from Deadline 'Derry Girls' Star Louisa Harland & Debi Mazar Cast In TV Adaptation Of Marian Keyes' 'The Walsh Sisters' Crunchyroll Unveils 'Ghost of Tsushima' Video Game Adaptation, Plans New Manga App As Add-On For Subscribers Marian Keyes' Walsh Sisters Coming To TV; Ireland's RTÉ Orders Drama Based On Popular Novels & BBC Gets On Board Toonz Media Group Strikes Anime Deal With 1st Place Indian animation giant Toonz Media Group has struck a deal with Japanese IP developer 1st Place to create anime projects at cost-effective prices and combat an emerging talent drought. The pair will work together to attract global entertainment companies searching for production solutions for their anime and 3D CGI projects. Japan's long-standing anime biz has been experiencing a global boom, with the likes of Netflix and Prime Video pushing into the genre in a big way as international demand grows. However, studios are struggling to meet demand, and the Toonz-1st Place pact has been struck partly to combat the issue. 'There is already a significant takent shortage in Japan for anime production,' said Ms Kumiko, founder and President of 1st Place. 'This strategic partnership with Toonz will help us bridge that gap by expanding our production capability and ensuring we can create more anime TV series and movies without compromising on quality.' For Toonz, whose track record includes work on Wolverine and X-Men films at Marvel, the deal positions it as a key player in international anime production. ITV Goes Big On 'Ant & Dec's Limitless Win' ITV is going big on Limitless Win. The network has put in a supercharged order for two more seasons and two Christmas specials of the Ant and Dec series. It will now run until late 2027. Created by Hello Dolly and co-developed by Hello Dolly and Mitre Studios, Ant & Dec's Limitless Win sees the world's first never-ending money ladder – with no upper limit to the potential top prize. Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning ITV, said: 'The show has established itself as a firm favourite amongst audiences and a staple in the ITV entertainment calendar.' In related news, ITV has commissioned Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's, a six-part series that follows the work of a busy team of vets. Show comes from Love Monday TV and was part advertiser-funded, with All3Media International handling international sales. BBC, Arte & RAI Among Buyers At RTÉ Irish shows from RTÉ Programme Sales have shopped across Europe. One-hour doc Birdsong, which follows ornithologist Seán Ronayne's unique mission to record the call of every one of the 200 bird species in Ireland, has gone to Arte in France and Germany and BBC4 in the UK. It comes from True Films and recently had its North American premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula. RAI in Italy and YLE in Finland have swooped for The Cable That Changed the World, a Tyrone FIlms and Create One co-production for RTÉ about the first transatlantic communications cable to traverse the ocean floor, from Valentia Island, Ireland to Newfoundland, Canada, 165 years ago. Finally, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer has snapped up 18-comedy series Hardy Bucks, which follows the exploits of a group of 20-something slacker lads living in a small fictional town in Ireland. David Beckham's Studio 99 Adds Production Chief Studio 99, the production company founded by David Beckham, has hired Jessica Ludgrove as VP of Production. Reporting into President Nicola Howson, she joins with immediate effect and will oversee the development slate and production output for the producer. Ludgrove has worked in TV and film over two decades in the industry, working as VP, Development at Universal Pictures Content Group, where she developed Love and Rage: Munroe Bergdorf, and Head of Production at Passion Pictures, managing a slate that included The Rescue, Alex Ferguson: Never Give In and Andy Murray: Resurfacing. Studio 99 is part of Authentic Studios, which also houses Shaquille O'Neal's Jersey Legends. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
