Bad Sisters is an Irish black comedy television series developed by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer. Set in Dublin and filmed on location in Ireland, it is based on the Belgian series Clan, which was created by Malin-Sarah Gozin. The first two episodes aired on 19 August 2022. Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season on 8 November 2022, [1] which started releasing episodes on 13 November 2024.[2]
The first season received a positive reception from critics and won a 2022 Peabody Award. It received a leading twelve nominations at the 19th Irish Film & Television Awards, winning four including Best Drama, and received the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series at the 2023 BAFTA Awards alongside two additional wins. Season 1 received four nominations at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Horgan.
Premise
The five Garvey sistersโEva, Grace, Ursula, Bibi, and Beckaโlive in Dublin. After Grace’s abusive, controlling husband John Paul dies unexpectedly, the sisters find themselves at the centre of a life insurance investigation. The series flips between timelines, one before John Paul’s death, in which Grace’s sisters plot to murder their repulsive brother-in-law and another after his death, in which a determined insurance agent tries to prove the sisters’ malicious involvement to save his struggling business.
Sharon Horgan as Eva Garvey, the eldest sister of the Garvey family. Protective of her younger sisters, having taken care of them after their parents’ death, she is single, with her infertility having affected her past relationships. She comes into conflict with John Paul over his treatment of her sister Grace and niece Blรกnaid. Eva and John Paul are co-workers at an architectural firm, and further conflict arises when both apply for the same promotion.
Anne-Marie Duff as Grace Riley (nรฉe Garvey, previously Williams), the second eldest sister of the Garvey family. John Paul’s wife and Blรกnaid’s mother, she is controlled and routinely belittled by her husband, from whom she has minimal independence. Her relationship with her sisters becomes distant due to her continual need to defend her husband’s poor behavior.
Eva Birthistle as Ursula Garvey (previously Flynn), the middle sister of the Garvey family. Wife to Donal and mother of three children, one of whom has Down syndrome, she works as a nurse and is having an extramarital affair with her photography instructor Ben. She comes into conflict with John Paul after he discovers her affair, threatens to inform her husband, and tricks her into sending him a nude photo.
Sarah Greene as Bibi Garvey, second youngest sister of the Garvey family. A lesbian, she is married to Nora and mother to an adopted son. She lost her right eye in a car crash caused by John Paul. She is the impetus for the sisters’ decision to murder John Paul.
Eve Hewson as Becka Garvey, youngest sister of the Garvey family. A massage therapist with aspirations to open her own studio, she comes into conflict with John Paul after he reneges on his agreement to invest in her business. Becka begins a relationship with Matthew Claffin, not realizing that he and his half-brother are investigating John Paul’s death.
Brian Gleeson as Thomas (“Tom”) Claffin (season 1), insurance agent at Claffin & Sons, which holds John Paul’s life insurance policy. Thomas has recently taken over the family business, which his father mismanaged before committing suicide. Knowing that settling the claim will bankrupt the business, he is determined to avoid a payout by proving the Garvey sisters guilty of foul play.
Daryl McCormack as Matthew “Matt” Claffin, half-brother of Thomas. Formerly a bassist in a London band, Matthew comes to work at Claffin & Sons after his father’s death. He begins a relationship with Becka, not realizing she is a suspect in his insurance investigation.
Assaad Bouab as Gabriel (season 1), Eva and John Paul’s co-worker. He develops a friendship with Eva, which she mistakes as romantic interest. He reveals to her that he is gay, although not out at work.
Claes Bang as John Paul “JP” Williams (season 1), Grace’s husband, Blรกnaid’s father, and a co-worker of Eva. A manipulative and abusive man, he exerts complete control over his wife and daughter’s lives and comes into conflict with the rest of the Garvey sisters. He is recently deceased at the beginning of the series, but the circumstances of his death are uncertain.
Owen McDonnell as Ian Riley (season 2), Grace’s newfound husband at the beginning of the second season.
Thaddea Graham as Una Houlihan (season 2), a young, persistent, and bright-eyed detective who is tasked to work with Detective Loftus to solve the case tied to John Paul’s father’s death.
Barry Ward as Fergal Loftus (season 2; recurring season 1), a Garda inspector.
Saise Quinn as Blรกnaid “Bla” Williams (season 2; recurring season 1), Grace and John Paul’s 12-year-old daughter.
Michael Smiley as Roger Muldoon (season 2; recurring season 1), Grace and John Paul’s neighbour who leads a local youth church group.
Fiona Shaw as Angelica Muldoon (season 2), Roger’s awkward sister who forged an off-screen bond with Grace, but it ended on a bad note.
