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Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Female friendship is not a perfect love story any more than a romantic relationship is'
When Vicki Notaro was a child, she used to watch Beaches starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, every Saturday with her cousin Trevor at her Granny's house. 'We had a VHS copy of it, and we would cry at the end every single time,' she says, laughing. It was this ritual that sparked an idea in Notaro. She explains: 'You know how they talk about 'the one' in relationships? To me, there's always been 'the one' in friendships. I wanted to write about the complications of female friendships and how difficult they can be. They're not this perfect love story any more than a romantic relationship is, so I was heavily inspired by that movie and its two lead characters, 'Hillary' and 'CC' There are references to it throughout my latest book Long Story.' The appeal of this genre, she says, lies in its ability to transport you to another world… an escape. 'Something I've learned, even in doing my podcast You Had Me at Hello, is that sometimes you just need a good whinge. And that's what romantic comedies are for. As much as they're there for laughs, they're also there for sadness.' This sentiment rings true in Notaro's own writing and, of course, the aforementioned Long Story. I've known Notaro for a long time in my professional career. I'm familiar with her writing, her affection for women and innate instinct for what makes them tick, what compels them to pick up a magazine (she was formerly editor in chief of STELLAR). This connection to women's stories now extends to books. So, I ask her: What was the first book that depicted female friendship in such a real and impactful way that it influenced her writing? 'The book that's influenced me the most in my whole career is Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes. In that book, her best friend is the one who tells her she's a drug addict. They're kind of acting out together, but it's Rachel who takes it too far, and her friend is the one who calls her out on this. 'I think that was the first time I realised that friendship wasn't just easy. It can be difficult. It has its ups and downs. Even in the sequel, 25 years after the first one, Again, Rachel, they're still friends. It depicted how complex a friendship could be. It wasn't just, 'We love each other and that's that.' Vicki Notaro: 'I think it's impossible to write a novel without some of your own life leaking into it.' 'Relationships change over time. So, someone who was your 'one' in friendship years ago, might not be your 'one' now. I think it's important not to beat ourselves up if things don't work out, but I love exploring how complex the ties in friendship can be.' Speaking of complexity, does Notaro find it difficult to avoid letting her own life and the people in it bleed onto the page? 'I think it's impossible to write a novel without some of your own life leaking into it. They say, 'Write what you know,' so with everything I write, it's impossible to distance myself from it. 'Everyone close to me always reads it before it goes to print. In fact, one of my friends named my first book Reality Check. It's a community effort. It's not just me. I'm pulling on strings from everyone.' Her latest book focuses on the dynamics between two women who, despite following very different paths, have remained best friends. Notaro elaborates: 'One of them is Tara, an Oscar-winning actress, and the other is Alex, a podcaster and lifestyle journalist. 'Despite their vastly different lifestyles — living on different continents and in different personal stages — they've managed to maintain their friendship. But then, an incident occurs that threatens everything…' She trails off with a mysterious smile. 'For me, it was interesting to throw a spanner in their works. They feel like real people, so I thought, 'What would be the one thing that could split them up?' That comes in the form of a man called Sean Sweeney who will test the very core of their 20-year friendship.' Long Story by Vicki Notaro I want to chat further about the evolution of female friendships in popular culture. Notaro says, 'I came of age at a time when friendship was really hot: Friends, Sex and the City. I thought I'd grow up and celebrate Thanksgiving with my friends in my purple apartment. The reality of that was quite different. 'People tend to celebrate those moments with their families. But now, there's this idea of 'chosen family,' which I think is powerful. I'm lucky to often combine the two. 'Later shows like Girls depicted friendship in such a real way. You'd see them, having a big screaming fight, and then 10 minutes later, they're outside doing a dance.' When discussing female friendship, it's impossible to overlook the latest season of The White Lotus. In season three, we see its nuanced portrayal of the complexities within long-standing ties. While many critics throughout the season labelled the trio's dynamic as 'toxic,' the finale reveals an unexpected depth. Carrie Coon's character delivers a poignant speech that highlights the stark difference between superficial friendships and the deeper connections that demand vulnerability, sacrifice, and honesty. 'Mike White is renowned for crafting polarising characters. Even in my book, Tara and Alex are each other's person, and yet, the portrayal acknowledges that no one is perfect,' Notaro reflects. 'Expecting perfection from someone simply because you love them is a tall order. What struck me as well, was the age of these characters. Too often, we see female friendships portrayed through the lens of women in their 20s or 30s, or in the later years, as with shows like Grace and Frankie. Vicki Notaro: 'I thought I'd grow up and celebrate Thanksgiving with my friends in my purple apartment. The reality of that was quite different.' 'It's rare to see women in their 40s navigating such complex dynamics. And I love that these women are, in a sense, 'spoiled brats', on a glamorous vacation. It's refreshing to see a portrayal that feels real and raw, women who are beautifully imperfect.' Notaro herself has experienced unwavering support from the women in her life since she made the decision to write fiction, and prior to that in her career in journalism. 'I love the concept of ditching the scarcity mindset. There's room enough for all of us at the table, as long as you have great ideas and are willing to work hard. Nobody likes a chancer,' she laughs. 'But I've only ever experienced people being unbelievably kind to me, from my first magazine job, to the launch of my first book. My heroes like Marian Keyes, Patricia Scanlon, and Cathy Kelly lifted me up and supported me from the get-go. I want to do that for people who want to write fiction now, too. 'The support has been astonishing, from these incredible Irish writers that I've read and admired my whole life. 'To be able to make this pivot to writing fiction really is a dream come true.' Long Story by Vicki Notaro, published by Sandycove, is out on May 29 Read More From daydreaming about bank heists to TV adaptations: Andrea Mara on her writing career
Irish Post
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
First look at The Walsh Sisters – a new series based on Marian Keyes' books
A FIRST look image has been released showing the stars of the much anticipated new series The Walsh Sisters. Part-based on the characters in Marian Keyes' books Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There, the six-part series follows the lives of sisters Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. Headlining the cast are Louisa Harland, of Derry Girls and Love/Hate fame, who stars as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton, who takes on the role of one her sister Rachel, who is one of Marian's most loved characters. Danielle Galligan plays eldest sister Claire and Máiréad Tyers plays Helen. The Walsh Sisters is currently in production The final Walsh sister, Maggie, is played by screenwriter and actor Stefanie Preissner, who has previously starred in Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can't Cope, Won't Cope and How to Adult. 'It's impossible to overstate how thrilled I am with this production,' Keyes said this week. 'Stefanie Preissner's scripts alchemised the vibe of my novels into a new and compelling thing,' she added. Keyes admits she was blown away by the performances of the cast now playing the sisters first created through her books. 'Individually and collectively the five young women playing the sisters astonished me,' she said. 'Their warm, bickery engagement feels just like a family.' She added: 'The rest of the cast is equally tremendous, and Mammy and Daddy Walsh are beautiful together. The series is based on books by bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes 'These amazing people have captured the spirit of my books, and they're transformed into something new and exciting.' The author has been on set while the RTÉ series, being produced in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights, has been filming. 'Visiting the set was always a thrill,' she says. 'The director and crew had a definite vision, and their commitment and hard work was clear. 'There's a lot that's very funny and warm but some of the scenes are dark and deeply moving. '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. 'I'm so grateful to all the individuals who worked so hard to make this beautiful series and I'm very excited for the world to see the finished product.' Aidan Quinn stars as Jack 'Daddy' Walsh, alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley, who stars as the Walsh sisters' eccentric Mammy. Jay Duffy, Samuel Anderson and Debi Mazar also star. The Walsh Sisters will launch on RTÉ followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year. See More: Marian Keyes, RTE, The Walsh Sisters
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
RTÉ reveals first look at comedy drama The Walsh Sisters, based on novels of Marian Keyes
RTÉ, in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights has revealed a first look photo of the cast of the eagerly anticipated comedy drama series The Walsh Sisters. Based on the novels by best-selling author Marian Keyes, the new series will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player this autumn. Part based on the blockbuster novels Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There, the six-part series follows the lives of sisters Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. However, their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood. Headlining the cast are Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell, Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton (Oddity) taking on the role of one of Marian's most loved characters, sister Rachel. Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, Spilt Milk, Shadow and Bone) plays eldest sister Claire and BAFTA-nominated Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays Helen. The final Walsh sister, Maggie, is played by stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can't Cope, Won't Cope, How to Adult). 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. Individually and collectively the five young women playing the sisters astonished me. Their warm, bickery engagement feels just like a family. The rest of the cast is equally tremendous, and Mammy and Daddy Walsh are beautiful together. These amazing people have captured the spirit of my books, and they're transformed into something new and exciting. Visiting the set was always a thrill, the director and crew had a definite vision, and their commitment and hard work was clear. There's a lot that's very funny and warm but some of the scenes are dark and deeply moving. 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. I'm so grateful to all the individuals who worked so hard to make this beautiful series and I'm very excited for the world to see the finished product.' Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy) stars as Jack 'Daddy' Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin, Hope Street, Smother) as eccentric Mammy. Jay Duffy (Wheel of Time, Northern Lights) who will play Rachel's complicated love interest Luke Costello. Samuel Anderson (Amanda land, Landscapers) will also feature as Aidan – Anna's love interest, and Debi Mazar (Kaos, Younger, Entourage) will play the part of Chaquie. The Walsh Sisters is adapted from Marian Keyes' novels by Stefanie Preissner, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon (Hullraisers, Moone Boy), the producer is Patrick O'Donoghue (The Tourist, Brooklyn, The Wonder), with Kefi Chadwick (Rivals, Death in Paradise) as additional writer. It is produced by Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures for RTÉ in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights. The executive producers of The Walsh Sisters are Dixie Linder and Nick Marston for Cuba Pictures, David McLoughlin for Metropolitan Pictures, David Crean and Dermot Horan for RTÉ, James Durie and Tom Misselbrook for Cineflix Rights, Stefanie Preissner, Marian Keyes, and Tony Baines. Kate McColgan is the executive producer for Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights is the exclusive worldwide distributor. -ENDS- RTÉ Communications: Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill Notes to Editors: About The Walsh Sisters: Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. 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. Marian Keyes is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. About Marian Keyes: Marian Keyes is the multi-million copy, internationally bestselling author of some of the most widely-loved, genre-defying novels of the past 30 years, including Rachel's Holiday, Anybody Out There and Grown Ups (Penguin Michael Joseph). She has amassed millions of fans around the world who are irresistibly drawn by her warmth and wit, fearless honesty, relatable characters and relationships, and sheer storytelling magic. Her books have explored some of the most challenging issues of our time, including addiction, immigration, depression, domestic violence and the Repeal the 8th campaign. Her many accolades include five Irish Book Awards and being named Author of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards in 2022. Since her first novel was published in 1995, more than 39 million copies of Keyes' books have been sold around the world, translated into 36 languages. Rachel's Holiday, Keyes' darkly comic 1997 novel about alcohol addiction and rehab, was ranked 14th in The Sunday Times' 2024 list of the top 50 novels of the 20th century. Keyes is a passionate champion of storytellers everywhere, playing an active role in encouraging the next generation of writers. She has been the chair of judges for the Comedy Women in Print prize, a sponsor of the Curtis Brown Creative Marian Keyes scholarship, and ran her own hugely popular Instagram Live series bringing free creative writing courses to thousands of viewers. Both critically acclaimed and commercially unstoppable, Keyes' 16th novel, My Favourite Mistake was an immediate No. 1 bestseller in five territories: the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It was also a No. 1 Audible bestseller and one of Audible's audiobooks of the year. In addition to her novels, Keyes has written two collections of journalism, one of which was used as the inspiration for her hit BBC Radio 4 show Between Ourselves. She also co-presents the popular BBC Radio 4 podcast Now You're Asking with actress Tara Flynn, which has been praised by The Guardian for its 'warm-hearted joy'. Keyes is based in Dublin. Instagram: @marian_keyes | About Cuba Pictures: Cuba Pictures is a BAFTA-, Emmy-, RTA- and BIFA-winning production company celebrated for high-profile TV and film projects. TV highlights include McMafia, starring James Norton (BBC One/AMC), based on Misha Glenny's bestseller and winner of the 2019 International Emmy for Best Drama; Coalition (RTS Award for Best Single Drama); multiple BAFTA-winning Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, starring Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel; and IFTA-winning Paula with Denise Gough (BBC Two/ RTÉ). Cuba's film credits include BAFTA-winning Boy A with Andrew Garfield; BIFA-winning Broken, starring Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy; The Ones Below with David Morrissey; London Road with Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy; and The Delinquent Season, starring Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott. In collaboration with The National Theatre, Cuba has produced four films, including Romeo and Juliet with Jessie Buckley and Josh O'Connor (RTSP-nominated) and Death of England: Face to Face (BAFTA/RTS-nominated). Most recently, Cuba produced The Chemistry of Death, an adaptation of Simon Beckett's crime novels, which premiered on Paramount+ in 2023. Currently, Cuba is in post-production on The Rumour, an adaptation of Lesley Kara's bestselling novel. About Metropolitan Films International: With more than 25 years of experience in film and television production, Metropolitan Films International, in association with its global network of partners, develops, produces and provides a comprehensive suite of production services to international film and television projects locating in Ireland. Metropolitan's numerous award-winning feature film co-productions include Martin McDonagh's Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin for Fox Searchlight; Disney's Disenchanted, the sequel to 2007's Enchanted; Ridley Scott's The Last Duel for Fox, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jodie Comer; and Silver for Constantin Film and Amazon Studios. Mostly recently, it co-produced Fifth Season and Lionsgate's gripping political thriller Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Zoey Deutch. Current projects in production include Wednesday (season two) for MGM/Netflix; Harry Wild (season four) for Acorn and ZDF, starring Jane Seymour; Sanctuary (season two) for AMC; and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Lisa McGee's follow-up to Derry Girls, for Hat Trick and Netflix. Metropolitan has also produced a wide variety of critically acclaimed television series, including the award-winning Irish crime drama KIN (seasons one and two) for BRON Studios, AMC, RTÉ and Screen Ireland, acquired by BBC and Netflix; The Tourist (season two), starring Jamie Dornan, for Two Brothers Pictures, BBC and All3Media; Vikings and Valhalla for MGM and Netflix; Penny Dreadful for Showtime; Greta, directed by Neil Jordan for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Universal; and Into The Badlands for AMC. About Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland As the national agency for the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is the creative partner to the sector, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. They are inspired by original storytelling that will emotionally move audiences at home and abroad. Through a wide range of practical funding supports across development, production, distribution, promotion and skills development, Screen Ireland supports the sector at every stage. Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland support filmmakers in their creative pursuit to share valuable artistic, cultural and commercial stories on screen. About Cineflix Rights: Cineflix Rights is the UK's largest independent TV content distributor to broadcasters and streamers worldwide, offering a catalogue of standout scripted series and movies as well as must-watch, long-running factual brands. Cineflix Rights' scripted slate features the new crime drama Virdee, based on the best-selling books by AA Dhand, for the BBC; the return of the international cult sensation Wynonna Earp: Vengeance for Tubi; dystopian thriller Heart Attack for Fuji TV; and the 2024 Séries Mania Official Selection So Long, Marianne, inspired by the love story between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen. These new titles join returning seasons of International Emmy® Best Drama Award-winning espionage series Tehran for Apple TV+; Paramount+ Australia's crime drama Last King of The Cross; Reginald the Vampire, starring Spider-Man's Jacob Batalon for SYFY US; Irvine Welsh's Crime with Dougray Scott in his International Emmy® award-winning role for ITVX/BritBox; and Acorn TV's cozy crime procedural Whitstable Pearl.
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
RTÉ reveals first look at comedy drama The Walsh Sisters
RTÉ has revealed the first look at new comedy drama The Walsh Sisters, which is based on the novels of Marian Keyes, ahead of its debut this Autumn. Part based on the novels Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There, the six-part series follows the lives of sisters Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen "as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s". The Walsh Sisters stars Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell, Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh, alongside rising talent Caroline Menton (Oddity) taking on the role of one of Marian's most loved characters, sister Rachel. Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, Spilt Milk, Shadow and Bone) plays eldest sister Claire and BAFTA-nominated Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays Helen. The final Walsh sister, Maggie, is played by stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, Can't Cope, Won't Cope, How to Adult). Made by RTÉ, in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights and co-written by Preissner and executive producer Kefi Chadwick, the synopsis for the new series reads, "This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. "However, their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood." The series also stars Aidan Quinn (Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy) as Jack 'Daddy' Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin, Hope Street, Smother) as Mammy. Speaking about The Walsh Sisters, 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. Individually and collectively the five young women playing the sisters astonished me. Their warm, bickery engagement feels just like a family. The rest of the cast is equally tremendous, and Mammy and Daddy Walsh are beautiful together. "These amazing people have captured the spirit of my books, and they're transformed into something new and exciting. Visiting the set was always a thrill, the director and crew had a definite vision, and their commitment and hard work was clear. "There's a lot that's very funny and warm but some of the scenes are dark and deeply moving. 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. "I'm so grateful to all the individuals who worked so hard to make this beautiful series and I'm very excited for the world to see the finished product."
