Is Bad Sisters a remake and where is it set?

From the mind of Catastrophe star Sharon Horgan

the promotional poster for Bad Sisters on AppleTV+ - a remake of Belgian series Clan
(Image credit: Apple TV+)

Dark comedy Bad Sisters has received praise from viewers and critics alike on Apple TV+. And fans are asking what is Bad Sisters based on and is it a remake?

Dubbed a "witty and emotional darkly comedic murder mystery" from Emmy Award-nominee and BAFTA Award-winning star and creator Sharon Horgan. The series introduces audiences to the five Garvey sisters (including eye-patch wearing Bibi Garvey) in what can be best described as a particularly dark, twisted and turbulent period of their lives - in the aftermath of the loss of their parents. Led by impressive performances by an all-star cast and featuring stunning natural scenery where Bad Sisters is filmed - it's become the TV show of the moment that you'd be silly not to watch. And when you've binged the lot be sure to delve into our Bad Sisters ending explained piece to make sure you've got the full story straight.

Elsewhere on AppleTV+, viewers will find the return of two other popular series. See season 3 - starring Jason Momoa - dropped late August much to the delight of long-running fans. Whilst Trying Season 3 continues to resonate with audiences who are all too familiar with the realities of family life.

What is Bad Sisters based on? Is it a remake?

Yes, Bad Sisters is a remake as it is adapted from the Belgian version of the series Clan created by Malin-Sarah Gozin. Originally titled Emerald and the upcoming dark comedy thriller was created by Sharon Horgan as part of her deal with Apple TV+. 

The show is executive produced and written by Horgan with Brett Baer and Dave Finkel through production company Merman. Clan creator Malin-Sarah Gozin also came on as an executive producer alongside Bert Hamelinck and Michael Sagol - who are attached to Belgian Caviar Films.

Cast of Bad Sisters

In addition to Sharon Horgan, Bad Sisters also stars Anne-Marie Duff (Suffragette/ The Salisbury Poisonings), Eva Birthistle (Brooklyn/The Last Kingdom), Sarah Greene (Frank of Ireland/Dublin Murders) and Eve Hewson (Behind her Eyes/The Luminaries) as the Garvey sisters. 

The ensemble cast also includes Claes Bang (Dracula/The Northman), Brian Gleeson (Frank of Ireland/Peaky Blinders), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to you Leo Grande/ Peaky Blinders), Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent/The Pursuit of Love) and newcomer Saise Quinn (Monster).

Bad Sisters: Plot

Bad Sisters delves into the tale of the five Garvey sisters. Following the death of their recently-deceased brother-in-law John Paul Williams (Claes Bang), the sisterhood find themselves under investigation by his chosen life insurance company.

Two investigators looking into the circumstances of John Paul's death grow increasingly suspicious that foul play was involved - with the hand pointing towards the five women, who all equally had a reason to want his demise. Sure enough the pair decide to dig deeper, unravelling family secrets and much much more.

Bad Sisters

(Image credit: Apple TV+)

Where is Bad Sisters set?

Bad Sisters is set in the breathtaking coast of Ireland, with filming in Dublin at locations including Sandycove, Forty Foot, Howth and Malahide, plus Belfast and London to bring viewers a delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller.

The setting has been dubbed as a "kind of coastal setting sibling to American counterparts such as Big Little Lies and The Affair and Sharp Objects."

Bad Sisters release date

Bad Sisters debuted globally on Friday 19 August 2022 with the first two episodes becoming available to watch on AppleTV+. A new episode weekly drops every Friday up until the finale on October 14.

  • Episode 1 - Friday 19 August 2022
  • Episode 2 - Friday 19 August 2022
  • Episode 3 - Friday 26 August 2022
  • Episode 4 - Friday 2 September 2022
  • Episode 5 - Friday 9 September 2022
  • Episode 6 - Friday 16 September 2022
  • Episode 7 - Friday 23 September 2022
  • Episode 8 - Friday 30 September 2022
  • Episode 9 - Friday 7 October 2022
  • Episode 10/Finale - Friday 14 October 2022

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Selina Maycock
Senior Entertainment Writer

Selina is currently a Senior Entertainment Writer for Goodto.com, formerly Senior Entertainment writer for Woman&Home, and My Imperfect Life and has more than 16 years of experience in newspapers, magazines and online. She currently writes a mix of Entertainment news - including celebrity births, weddings and reality show line-ups including Strictly, Dancing On Ice and The Great British Bake Off, reporting the the latest news about the Royal kids Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet as well as Family news stories from baby names to store closures and product recall warnings. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand. When she's not interviewing celebrities you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories.