Exclusive: The Walsh Sisters are coming to TV. Irish author Marian Keyes’ novels about the dysfunctional but loveable Walsh family of five sisters have inspired a six-part drama series for Irish pubcaster RTÉ. The BBC has acquired it for the UK.

England-based Cuba Pictures and Ireland-based Metropolitan Films International are joining forces to make the drama, which has the chops to become a returning series. It is being made in association with Screen Ireland. Cineflix Rights is also on board and is selling the show globally.

The drama will revolve around five books about the Walsh Sisters by Keyes, who is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. “This is So exciting! I’m beside myself!,” said the author, who is an exec producer on the show. “I love the scripts; they’ve really kept the spirit of the books. It’s been almost impossible to keep...