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TV tonight: the must-see new drama for Marian Keyes fans
#Marian Keyes#Walsh Sisters#BBC One#Patrick Dempsey#Jonathan Ross#television drama#Saturday viewing#Irish literature adaptation
📌 Key Takeaways
Marian Keyes' popular Walsh sisters series is finally adapted for television
The drama premieres on BBC One at 9.15pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026
Patrick Dempsey appears on The Jonathan Ross Show to promote his new thriller
The evening offers diverse programming including drama, comedy, film, and sports
📖 Full Retelling
Marian Keyes, the bestselling Irish novelist known as the 'Queen of the Romcom,' brings her beloved Walsh sisters to the small screen in a new drama premiering on BBC One at 9.15pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, finally adapting her popular book series for television audiences. The series introduces viewers to Rachel, who is forced to confront her relationship with alcohol, while outgoing single mum Claire navigates her divorce proceedings. Keyes' signature blend of heart-tugging storytelling and Irish humor promises to make this adaptation a must-see for fans of her novels, who have long awaited seeing these flawed yet relatable characters come to life. Later in the evening, ITV1 will host The Jonathan Ross Show at 9.25pm, featuring Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey promoting his new thriller 'Memory of a Killer.' The actor will join host Jonathan Ross alongside comedian Jack Whitehall and musician Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor), who is currently starring in a West End revival of 'Teeth'n'Smiles.' For film enthusiasts, Channel 4 will present Steven Spielberg's personal drama 'The Fabelmans' at 9.15pm, which explores the director's own childhood obsession with cinema and family dynamics in 1950s America. The evening's television offerings also include a diverse range of programming across multiple channels, with Channel 4 featuring 'Roman Empire By Train With Alice Roberts' at 8.15pm, BBC One hosting Michael McIntyre's Big Show at 8.15pm, and various sports programming including Winter Olympics, Six Nations rugby, and Premier League football.
🏷️ Themes
Television programming, Celebrity appearances, Film adaptations, Sports coverage
Marian Keyes is an Irish author and radio presenter who is best known for her popular fiction.
Keyes became known for her novels Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married, Rachel's Holiday, Last Chance Saloon, Anybody Out There, and This Charming Man, which, although written in a light and humoro...
BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship network, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, primetime drama and entertainment, and live BBC...
Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and racecar driver who is best known for playing neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy (2005–2015; 2020–2021). He is also known for his leading man romantic film roles, such as Enchanted (2007).
Jonathan Stephen Ross OBE (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, television personality, film critic, comedian, and writer. He has presented television comedy chat shows, including BBC's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001–2010) and ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show (2011–present). For the ...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
A new drama based on Marian Keyes' bestselling novels brings her beloved Walsh sisters to television, offering fans a fresh visual experience of familiar characters and themes.
Context & Background
Marian Keyes bestselling novelist
BBC One airing The Walsh Sisters
Show explores alcohol and divorce themes
What Happens Next
The series may continue with additional episodes, potentially expanding into a full season, and could spark further adaptations of Keyes' works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be more episodes of The Walsh Sisters?
Yes, the show is set to continue with more episodes if it performs well with audiences.
Is the show available on streaming platforms?
It will be available on BBC iPlayer after its broadcast on BBC One.
Original Source
TV tonight: the must-see new drama for Marian Keyes fans The bestselling novelist brings her beloved Walsh sisters to the screen. Plus: Patrick Dempsey lets loose with Jonathan Ross. Here’s what to watch this evening The Walsh Sisters Sat, 9.15pm, BBC One Finally, Marian “Queen of the Romcom” Keyes is bringing her flawed, hilarious and painfully relatable characters to the small screen. It starts with Rachel being forced into facing her relationship with alcohol – but does she really think she has a problem? Meanwhile, outgoing single mum Claire is finalising her divorce. Heart-tugging and thoughtful, with that cracking Irish comedy laced throughout. Hollie Richardson Sailing the Shipping Forecast With the Rev Richard Coles 6.15pm, Channel 4 The Rev finds the shipping forecast so soothing that he considers it a sort of prayer. For the penultimate leg of his lovely journey marking the radio broadcast’s centenary, he’s exploring the area of Wight, a stretch of the Channel. He starts on the Isle of Wight where the annual regatta is taking place in Cowes, before training up for seven-star service at a superyacht school. HR Michael McIntyre’s Big Show 8.15pm, BBC One B*Witched are pranked in Unexpected Star; Shane Richie and Gillian Taylforth contribute to a special EastEnders-themed TV Takeover; and Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy are the first ever couple on Remember Me. They may or may not recall who sang at their wedding … but someone definitely remembers their secondary school crush. Ali Catterall Roman Empire By Train With Alice Roberts 8.15pm, Channel 4 The latest archaeological odyssey with Prof Roberts stops off, inevitably, in Rome and she seems delighted to explore such a richly historic city. Then she hops on a bike for a bone-rattling detour on the Appian Way, the ancient but durable road that helped a voracious empire expand . Graeme Virtue The Jonathan Ross Show 9.25pm, ITV1 One for Grey’s Anatomy fans: Patrick Dempsey is plugging his new thriller Memory of ...
