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STREAMING GIANT NETFLIX has announced the cast of the forthcoming adaptation of Marian Keyes’ bestselling novel Grown Ups.
Filming for the series has begun in and around Dublin and the newly revealed cast includes Sarah Greene, Barry Ward, Aisling Bea, and Robert Sheehan.
Adrian Dunbar will also feature, as will Sinéad Cusack and Katelyn Rose Downey.
Last year, Netflix announced a slate of new shows, including House of Guinness and an adaptation of Grown Ups.
Keyes said she “screamed” when she received the news that Netflix would bring her book to the small screen.
Keyes will also act as an executive producer on Grown Ups and praised writer and producer Samantha Strauss for “getting” the dynamics of the book.
Grown Ups is about three brothers belonging to the Casey family and their wives and children.
In an announcement today, Netflix described the “dysfunctional Caseys” as an “Irish family tied together by love, tragedy, and loyalty in equal measure”.
Irish director Ciarán Donnelly, known for his work on shows like Vikings, Kin and The Tudors, is one of the adaptation’s directors.
Speaking today, Strauss said it is a “true life highlight to be trusted with [Keyes'] characters as we bring the Casey family and the world of Grown Ups to Netflix”.
Keyes said it feels like a “succession of dreams come true” to see filming begin in Dublin.
“On 15 October, 2020, at the height of Covid, I had a Zoom call with Samantha Strauss,” said Keyes.
“I was closeted in my Dublin bedroom, once again in lockdown.
“Sam had optioned the book six months earlier but this was our first time to speak; our emotional and creative connection was immediate.”
Keyes said Strauss was “adamant that the show needed to be shot in Ireland”.
“Countless books are optioned and very few ever make it to the screen”, said Keyes, who joked that she has been there “there many times”.
“But from that first conversation I believed Sam and I trusted her. I’m honoured by the hard work and commitment of everyone involved, I’m beyond grateful for all the care that’s been taken with my characters and most of all, I’m enormously proud.”
Before Grown Ups comes to Netflix, The Walsh Sisters based on Keyes’ novels will be coming to RTÉ.
The comedy-drama is in association with the BBC and will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Sunday 28 September at 9.30pm.
The first season will follow the chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable family of five sisters, their mother and bemused father.
It is in part based on two of Keyes’s books, the blockbuster novels Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There.
Headlining that cast are Louisa Harland (Derry Girls; Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton as sister Rachel.
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