Latest news with #RenegadeNell
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jake Dunn Is Fiercely Protective of BBC Trans Drama ‘What It Feels Like for a Girl'
'Whenever I work, I'm like, 'This will be the last time you do that,'' Jake Dunn laughs. 'I just can't believe it.' His candid disbelief is no surprise when the Nottingham-born star, fresh out of drama school, went straight into filming a Sally Wainwright show. Dunn might be best known to viewers as Thomas in Renegade Nell, Disney+'s fantasy adventure penned by the Happy Valley creator, which was canceled after one season last year. More from The Hollywood Reporter Banijay Has No Immediate Plans to Buy ITV Studios as CEO Talks Consolidation at SXSW London Letitia Wright on Overcoming Impostor Syndrome for Directorial Debut, Ryan Coogler Prophecy Death of "Grassroots" Live, Electronic Music Venues Gets U.K. Parliament Review: SXSW London 'It does give you an understanding,' Dunn continues, 'of when something is fizzing and exciting versus when something maybe doesn't have that same impact on first read.' The 25-year-old would know better than a lot of people — he's also worked on Jack Rook's Big Boys, Nick Hamm's historical epic William Tell and now turns to the BBC Three's millennial coming-of-age drama based on the memoir by transgender journalist Paris Lees. What It Feels Like for a Girl, on BBC iPlayer from June 3, follows Paris as a teen when she was known as Byron (played by Ellis Howard). Byron is still working through sexuality, identity and widespread prejudice in the working class town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, but when they enter the world of sex work before adulthood, it also guides them to solace in the form of 'The Fallen Divas,' a group of queer, like-minded young people, including Laquarn Lewis' Lady Die, against the backdrop of the Y2K boom in the early 2000s. From there, Byron embarks on a journey toward womanhood but gets embroiled in deeply coercive and often uncomfortable relationships along the way. Dunn stars as Liam, an intimidating, criminally inclined boy who also secretly dabbles in sex work. Additional cast members include Laura Haddock, Hannah Walters, Calam Lynch, Hannah Jones, Michael Socha and Alex Thomas-Smith. The show has received some negative attention in recent weeks following the U.K.'s controversial Supreme Court ruling. In April, judges decided that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex.' Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was among those celebrating the news. The decision makes even the title of Lees' adaptation more contentious. 'Presenting the idea of an effeminate boy 'becoming a girl' as an edgy coming-of-age story is presenting delusion as self-discovery,' said Maya Forstater, a gender-critical activist who set up the British campaign group Sex Matters. Dunn's not having any of it. Below, he catches up with The Hollywood Reporter about landing the complex role of Liam, working with some of the best British writers in showbiz, playing the bad guy and why the U.K. Supreme Court ruling has muddied the waters of what should be jubilant time for Paris Lees and the cast of What It Feels Like for a Girl: 'It's a very uncertain time, politically, to be releasing a show that has, at the head of it, trans people.' I feel like this is so emblematic of a great little BBC show. Original storytelling, fantastic cast. What piqued your interest? It's a funny, sort of leading question because the reality of it is that, obviously, you audition for everything you can. Anything that comes through, you try and audition for because you want to work, you want to make rent, all those things. And then, very occasionally, maybe once or twice a year, you end up auditioning for something that you actually also think is really interesting. And it was a weird situation where I'd done a film called William Tell in 2023. Oh, of course. How was that experience? Great. We love our swords and shields. (Laughs.) But I shot that for about four and a half months and it finished, and I was knackered. I was like, I just want to take a few months to just not do anything. At the same time, a couple of my friends started auditioning for this show What It Feels Like for a Girl and asked me for help with the Nottingham accent. And I think most of my friends back in Nottingham would tell you that I'm really posh compared to anyone there. (Laughs.) I just never really inherited the accent. I helped people audition for different parts and read in, but it just never came my way. There was this part called Liam, which I'd heard about. People had been like, 'You could be auditioning for this.' And I didn't want to push it — I was tired from the previous jobs. I thought, it's not coming my way very easily. But then it did, and I did a couple of auditions and somehow managed to get the part. It was very surprising. So you feel like you're very much still in the audition for everything phase of your career? Yeah, definitely. There's no two ways about it. I'm not at all known or being sought at all, which is great — I don't expect that at all. I've been very lucky the last two years to get a job every so often. I think that's healthy. I think I would be nervous if that changed at all because while starting from the same place every time is scary, it's also very good. If you're not right for the part, you're not right for the part and that's that. It becomes less about anything else. But yeah, I'm always scrambling a little bit. It goes to show how many talented people in the biz have to scramble. And, of course, at the same time, lots of people would love to be in your position. Oh yeah, God, I'm also very aware that I've been incredibly lucky to work at all in the last couple of years. Since I left drama school, [I've worked] on things with really amazing people. I spent four months making William Tell and it was such a fun time. It was four months working with the funniest, best, most talented [people]. When it happens and you get something, it's the most exciting thing. So I am very, very, very lucky to work at all. Talk to me about Liam and what it is you think the casting directors saw that they liked in you. Why did people urge you to audition? I don't know. Maybe they said it in a Nottingham sense. But when I heard what the part was, I was like, that sounds really interesting but not like me at all. I think I got close to something else that was in a similar vein, [so] I had the skinhead at the time! Sometimes, those cosmetic things help you. But Liam himself, even when I got cast, I couldn't quite believe it. I didn't come out of the chemistry reading and go, 'I think this is gonna work out for me.' After that, it was about getting a hold of who he was as quickly as possible. I had access to the first three episodes and I basically found everything out about Liam through the script in a way that I don't think I've ever fully had before. I think it's so well written and because it's based on reality, on someone's life, it has that amazing thing about it [where] it's quite a jagged shape. It doesn't sit in narrative conventions as much as a [fictional] drama would because it was someone's life. Episode three, specifically, I learned a lot from. He was someone that I think was really similar to Byron when he was Byron's age and had been through the same things that Byron was about to experience. And he has, as a result — in my head — built himself tough to respond to it. People like Liam exist, I know people like that. It was also the first time I really based someone on people I used to know in Nottingham. People like Liam are survivalists. They go from moment to moment and they feel like they've got no money, no future and no one listening. When you're living that way, you see how it becomes about cheating the system. Do you know what I mean? That's super interesting that you say Liam has been through what Byron has. There was a line — it was cut from the final [product], which is fine — where Byron heard that Liam also used to work [in sex work]. We're learning how to talk about it. Byron is 15, and we, as an audience, get to decide how we feel about what's happening when in the eyes of morality or law, what we're seeing is statutory rape and a form of coercion and grooming and all these things. It felt really useful for me when playing Liam to realize that if Liam had gone through what Byron had, it meant that he couldn't see what he was doing as coercion because it would mean Liam was coerced as well. So, for me, it felt like Liam was a mirror. Liam saw Byron in himself and thus became fascinated, obsessed with him and hated him. There were all these muddled, intense feelings that are brimming throughout episodes two and three. It meant you could kind of do anything with it. It felt much more freeing. Also, bear with me if I over-talk a character; I really don't know whether it makes sense or not… No, no, it makes perfect sense. Did you speak to Paris about who Liam was in real life? I did a little bit. It's so specific and esoteric that I feel quite nervous to almost touch on what I do and don't know because there was a gift for me in reversing what actors would normally do. I held off on the knowledge. There was a point where I was like, if I knew anything about him or who he was based on, what they looked like, it might take me into a realm of something that is a bit too documentarian. I based Liam's voice on someone I knew from when I was 15, 16. I based his movements on the same chap and then [Paris and I] created this look together. However, much of it was based on the true person I wasn't privy to, in a way that I'm quite grateful for because I don't want to dredge up anything. You never know where the line is in this because this is about Paris's life. Paris has written it. But it's also about keeping the freedom of what we're exploring. I almost didn't feel bad for not asking permission for certain things that we improvised during scenes because we knew we were making a drama. How do you feel about finally being out in the world? I mean, I don't know if you saw the U.K. Supreme Court ruling about the definition of a woman. We're living in a very scary time, and I feel excited in the sense that I'm so proud to be a part of this show. I think that the acting is nuts, and I think Ellis and Hannah and Laquarn are incredible, but it's a very uncertain time, politically, to release a show that has, at the head of it, trans people. Jake, am I allowed to ask what you have coming up next? (Laughs.) I'm heading away in about a week for four months to shoot something, which I'm super excited for. And it's the first time I'm not playing someone really, really evil. So that is a real big turning point for me. Do you feel you've been typecast in your career so far as the bad guy? I mean, I've really enjoyed it. I just played Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire [at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield]. I finished that about a few weeks ago. We did a month run and a month of rehearsals. I played Liam. I didn't work for seven months because, you know, auditioning, and then I played Stanley and before that was Stussi in William Tell and before that was Thomas in Renegade Nell. It's sort of a track record. (Laughs.) They're all very different and exciting! But you're like, 'Oh, is this my thing?' It's all about variation, though, right? You never want to feel like you're playing the same character twice. I never have felt that. Like I said, I'm always auditioning. I'm always trying. It is hard. I'm very lucky. But the people, the characters I've got to play have been so developed and nuanced and different. And I feel really incredibly lucky to have played Liam. It's such a specific person and character and not something that I would ever even [think I'd] be considered for. And you've really worked with some of the best British writers in the biz — Sally Wainwright, Jack Rook, now Paris. One hundred percent. I left drama school and did a Sally Wainwright show and I couldn't believe it. It does give you an understanding of when something is fizzing and exciting versus when something maybe doesn't have that same impact on first read. And it's a funny dichotomy — you're trying to audition for everything, but then you've also had a run of working with the best writers you can think of. I've been very happy. What would your dream role be, or dream filmmaker, writer, or fellow actor to work with? I'm quite bad with things like that. I'm always very pessimistic and assume that any job is the last one. And I really don't have career dreams. I don't know if it's [that] I don't have an imagination, but I just can't believe it whenever I work. So whenever I do work, I'm like, 'This will be the last time you do that.' (Laughs.) It's really good for me. It keeps me aware of everything outside of acting, rather than putting your whole life on this. You gotta be careful with things like this… OK. Max Porter is a writer who — I mean, I think everyone is phenomenal — but he is phenomenal. I heard along the way that he watched Renegade Nell, so I would love to come across his radar. Andrea Arnold — I saw Bird last year and I thought it was one of the most exciting films I'd seen in a long time. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Metro
7 days ago
- 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
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."
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nicola Coughlan pushes fashion boundaries in a quirky structured gown with pointed corset as she receives award at Canneseries Festival
pushed fashion boundaries as she attended the 8th Canneseries International Festival on Monday night in the south of France. The Bridgerton actress, 38, wowed in a quirky structured gown with statement pointed corset as she received an award after walking the red carpet. For the event held at the Palais des Festivals she certainly turned heads in the light pink satin number which featured ruffled detailing and a long train. She boosted her height with white heels and accessorised with chic pearl earrings while posing up a storm. Her light blonde tresses were pulled back and she opted for a glowing makeup look and pink lip. Nicola briefly spoke on stage after receiving her award and looked delighted to be at the glamorous event. The Bridgerton actress, 38, wowed in a quirky structured gown with statement pointed corset as she received an award after walking the red carpet Earlier in the day Nicola was epitome of chic as she was honoured at the sun-soaked Canneseries Festival in the South of France. She slipped into a figure-hugging green sequinned gown for the occasion as she posed up a storm overlooking the ocean. Nicola tied a pale pink sweater loosely around her shoulders and shielded her eyes behind a pair of geometric shades. She added extra height to her frame with metallic silver heels and sported radiant make-up with her blonde hair tied back while strands framed her dainty features. Nicola appeared in great spirits as she left her handprint in cements during the event before signing her name beneath. The Canneseries, was launched in 2017, and takes place ahead of the annual film festival, aiming to showcase and promote television series from around the world. Last week Nicola appeared smitten with boyfriend Jake Dunn as they made their red carpet debut at the Bafta TV and Craft awards nominees party. The actress and her Renegade Nell star partner, 25, could barely keep their eyes off each other as they arrived at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Nicola looked elegant for the evening in a figure-hugging black jacket dress which featured an eye-catching tulle bow on the back. She layered the statement garment over a pair of black tights as she slipped into a pair of towering black platform heels. To finish her chic ensemble, the blonde beauty toted her belongings around in a small satin micro bag. Meanwhile Jake opted for a much more casual appearance as he stepped out in a pair of white trainers and a two-piece navy suit. He layered his suit over a burgundy wool jumper and a white shirt which he opted to keep the top button open. Nicola went Instagram official with Jake in February as she took to her Stories to celebrate her boyfriend's 25th birthday with a sweet post. She shared a photo of Dunn sitting on what appears to be a set as he looked up at the sky. 'Happy Birthday ♥️,' she wrote on the post. Nicola and Jake met after being after being introduced by her Derry Girls co-star and close friend Louisa Harland. Following months of hiding the budding relationship, Nicola and Jake, finally confirmed their romance in October after they were spotted returning home hand-in-hand from a pub trip in North London. Friends of the couple told MailOnline: 'They're absolutely besotted with each other and have so much fun together. 'Despite their busy schedules, they've slotted into each other's lives so easily as they share such a big group of mutual friends.' Jake, who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2023, has appeared in projects opposite Nicola's Derry Girls co-stars Louisa Harland and Dylan Llewellyn, 32. Like Nicola, the London-born actor has also starred in a period drama, Disney's Renegade Nell, opposite Louisa. The source added: 'When Derry Girls ended Nicola, Dylan and Louisa remained the best of friends and always supported each other in their careers so it made sense Nicola met Jake.' While still at drama school, Jake was booked on for the Channel 4 Big Boys opposite Dylan and was written by Jack Rooke who is a close friend of Nicola's. The gang of friends are big supporters of each other's work and are often spotted hanging out in North West London where Nicola has a house in the trendy Stoke Newington area.
