We meet the cast and prepare for the second season

The Garvey girls are back, so RTÉ Entertainment's John Byrne previews the second series of Bad Sisters and chats to two of the show's stars, Eva Birthistle and Sarah Greene.

She's a smart guy, Sharon Horgan. And she has the impressive resume to prove it. Now she's back on and off screen with a second season of the deliciously dark comedy-drama Bad sisters.

As we serve as executive producer of the series, Sharon also plays Eva, one of the five Garvey girls who always have murder on their minds.

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The first season was adapted from the great Flemish series clan (aired on Channel 4 as The Out Lawsswaps Belgium for Dublin and stars Anne-Marie Duff as Grace, Eva Birthistle as Ursula, Sarah Greene as Bibi and Eve Hewson as Becka.

This time Bad Sisters go beyond their Belgian roots with an entirely new story. It's two years after the, er, “accidental” death of Grace's abusive husband JP, and the close-knit Garvey sisters have moved on.

Well, until a new nightmare begins.

When we meet the Garveys again, we meet Eva, the eldest Garvey sister, now in her fifties, searching for balance in a life that is both chaotic and rewarding.

Meanwhile, Grace comes to terms with her past, embarks on a new romance and faces life with renewed optimism, while Ursula remains faithful to her career and her children but is confronted with the painful reality of separation.

Bibi continues to play the role of the sisters' protector, although this increasingly conflicts with her responsibilities towards her own family.

Then there is “Baby” Becka, who is slowly growing up and taking on responsibility, or at least making an effort.

“I was thrilled to return as Eva and reunite with my incredible cast mates in Ireland,” says Sharon Horgan, who also reprises her role as executive producer and writer from 2019 Bad sisters. “We’re diving into even more provocative and exciting stories this season.”

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The ensemble cast's enthusiasm to return to tell more of Garvey's story was palpable. “Coming back was like seeing the family again,” says Eva Birthistle. “We had so much fun working together the first time.”

Anne-Marie Duff shares this opinion. “The camaraderie on set was palpable and reflected beautifully on the screen,” she says. “It’s an important part of what resonates with viewers.”

At the end of the first season, viewers saw the Garvey sisters enjoying Grace's newfound freedom from her oppressive past. The second season begins a few years later and shows each sister pursuing their own happiness – including Eva's transition from alcohol to fitness and Bibi's success as an online poker player.

However, the sisters' peace is shattered when the dismembered body of JP's father turns up and a close acquaintance disappears.

The Garveys find themselves under suspicion once again, testing their unity and resilience.

“Season two is all about secrets,” says Eve Hewson. “They don't stay buried for long and the past resurfaces in unexpected ways. If season one was about saving Grace, this season is definitely about seeking justice for her.”

With bodies turning up and disappearances unsolved, it's no surprise that DI Loftus (Barry Ward) is back this season. And he has a new partner who will cause even more trouble for the Garveys.

Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham) is a young detective whose drive couldn't be more different than her private eye's world-weariness.

Another new character is Owen McDonnell, who plays Ian – he's the man who seems ready to give Grace the happy ending she so richly deserves.

McDonnell was excited to join the cast of Bad sisters. “Sharon Horgan is a brilliant observer, but she's also very good at making her characters say what we might all be thinking but would be too afraid to say,” he says.

The second season also joins the cast with acclaimed Irish actress Fiona Shaw in the role of Angelica, a domineering woman who has recently moved in with her brother Roger, another of JP's victims and a neighbor of Grace's.

“We knew the role of Angelica would be perfect for her, but we weren't sure if Fiona would accept it,” says Horgan. But Shaw was already a fan of the series and was eager to join the cast.

“I was so overwhelmed by Bad sisters because I grew up in Ireland, but the Ireland that is portrayed and the young Irish women are so completely different to what I grew up with,” Shaw emphasizes.

“We were much stricter, much more old-fashioned. I felt like I had a chance to experience my country in a completely new way.”

“Sharon has an extraordinary brain and brings something amazing to the set, not only through her acting alongside her, but also through her lines and the little changes she makes as we shoot a scene. It was a great privilege.”

The eight-part second season of Bad sisters makes its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Wednesday, November 13th, followed by a weekly episode every Wednesday until December 25th.

Now there's a Christmas treat that really deserves anticipation.