Mallow’s own Stefanie Preissner is at the heart of RTÉ’s new drama The Walsh Sisters, not only as the writer of four of the six episodes but also delivering a standout performance as Maggie Walsh. Adapted from Marian Keyes’ beloved novels, the series follows a middle-class Dublin family of five sisters, each with their own quirks, challenges, and moments of humour.
Preissner was tasked with the challenging job of turning Keyes’ novels into a television series, a responsibility she approached with characteristic wit and insight. Her sharp eye for dialogue and relationships, first seen in Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope and Solpadeine is My Boyfriend, is evident throughout the series. As she explained to RTE.ie, “The tone of my previous work reflects women of a certain age going through things in their life, and using humour as a coping mechanism. I think it works really well.” That sensibility helps the adaptation feel both authentic and entertaining, capturing the heart of Keyes’ writing while remaining distinctively Preissner’s own.
Audiences have already taken note of her performance. Maggie Walsh is a standout character, and Preissner’s portrayal brings depth, vulnerability, and warmth. Reflecting on one particularly daring scene, writing in the Independent.ie, “If I’d known I was going to end up playing Maggie, I would never, and I genuinely mean never, have given her the only intimacy scene in the entire series. At the writing stage, it seemed like a good idea. But now, thousands , hopefully millions, of people will see me having sex on screen.” That blend of honesty, humour, and self-awareness is exactly what makes her work resonate.
While some critics have offered mixed reviews, the series has been widely praised by fans, and Marian Keyes herself has said Preissner has done “an amazing job” adapting her novels for the screen. Beyond writing and acting, Preissner is a multi-talented creator, having worked as a script supervisor and columnist, and her fingerprints are on every aspect of the series’ production.
From her roots in Mallow to national television, Stefanie Preissner continues to prove herself as a singular voice in Irish storytelling. Through her writing and performances, she captures the humour, complexity, and resilience of contemporary women, making The Walsh Sisters a series that’s as heartfelt as it is entertaining.
