The BBC's first television adaptation of Marian Keyes' beloved novels, The Walsh Sisters, has drawn mixed reactions from fans. The six-part series combines plotlines from Rachel's Holiday (1997) and Anybody Out There? (2006), but critics say it misses the humour that defines Keyes' work.
The drama follows the five Walsh sisters, focusing on Rachel (Caroline Menton) and Anna (Louisa Harland). Rachel's addiction leads to rehab, while Anna deals with grief after a tragedy. Other sisters include Maggie (Stefanie Preissner), struggling with fertility; Claire (Danielle Galligan), a divorced single mother; and Helen (Máiréad Tyers), the volatile youngest.
While the portrayals of addiction and grief are well-executed, the adaptation has been criticised for flattening characters and altering key personalities. Most notably, Mammy Walsh (Carrie Crowley) is transformed from a joyful, self-confident figure into a bitter shrew, stripping the story of its warmth.
Fans of Keyes' books may find the series cheerless compared to the source material, though it works as a standalone drama. The series airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
