"Love/Hate" and "Normal People" stars team up for Netflix drama series "Grown Ups"

Set in south Dublin, Grown Ups follows the chaotic lives of the Caseys, a tight-knit Irish family who are bound together by a tangled web of loyalty, resentment, money, memory and love.

When the rock of the family, the "good son", dies unexpectedly, it sets off a seismic emotional reckoning.

Over the course of the next year, the Caseys will fall in and out of love, confront old wounds and make some new ones.

They’ll be forced to face not only their grief, but the exhausting, relentless, and often ridiculous struggle of being an adult.

The series features a stellar cast, with actors from "Love/Hate" and "Normal People" coming together for this drama.

 Sarah Greene, known for her roles in "Bad Sisters" and "Normal People", will take on the role of Jessie. Joining her is fellow Bad Sisters star Barry Ward, who will portray Johnny.

 
 Popular comedian Aisling Bea has been cast as Cara, while Robert Sheehan, familiar to audiences from "Love/Hate" and "Misfits", will play Liam.

Sarah Greene.

Aisling Bea.

Amy-Leigh Hickman, known for "YOU" and "Our Girl", will take on the role of Nell. Adrian Dunbar, best known for "Line of Duty" and Ridley, will play Canice.

Adrian Dunbar.

Sinéad Cusack is set to portray Rose and Karin Hanczewski will play Ed.

Newcomer James Agnew, a recent graduate of the Lir Drama School in Dublin, will make his debut as Ferdia.

Rounding out the cast is Katelyn Rose Downey, recently named Screen International Star of Tomorrow, who will portray Saoirse.

Samantha Strauss is the writer and creator behind bring Marian Keyes’ novel to life for television. She is also one of the Executive Producers.

She stated: "I know I’m not alone in being obsessed with every word Marian Keyes has ever written, and it is a true life highlight to be trusted with her characters as we bring the Casey family and the world of 'Grown Ups' to Netflix.

"James Griffiths, our set up director is already crafting something beautiful and very human. I am pinching myself to be in the company of our preposterously glorious cast and our fantastic crew as we shoot here in sunny Ireland."

Marian Keyes is a multimillion copy, internationally bestselling author of some of the most widely loved novels of the past 30 years.

As well as "Grown Ups", her work includes the likes of "Rachel’s Holiday" and "Anybody Out There".

She has also written three collections of journalism, upon which the hit BBC Radio 4 show "Between Ourselves" was based off.

Speaking about the series, Marian explained the long road they have taken to make it happen.

She said: "The filming of Grown Ups has begun in Dublin and it feels like a succession of dreams come true.

"On October 15 2020, at the height of Covid, I had a zoom call with Samantha Strauss from Picking Scabs. She was on Australia’s Gold Coast adapting Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers.

"I was closeted in my Dublin bedroom, once again in lockdown. Sam had optioned the book (Grown Ups) six months earlier but this was our first time to speak; our emotional and creative connection was immediate.

"Her questions were relevant and intelligent and she was adamant that the show needed to be shot in Ireland.  Countless books are optioned and very few ever make it to the screen.

"Funding is usually the biggest challenge. But from that first conversation I believed Sam and I trusted her. Then Netflix came on board and again it was so easy to like and trust the people involved.

"Then casting began and it was above and beyond my wildest dreams: what an incredibly talented group of people. Likewise the two directors and the hardworking crew. 

"Being part of this, seeing it all come together has been so exciting and so much fun. I’m honored 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."

* This article was published on Extra.ie.