Netflix has proven to be a platform that helps television shows record remarkable success. Coming-of-age stories have thrived on the platform and still continue to receive commercial success and audience rave reviews. From Sex Education and Heartstopper, to Wednesday and Never Have I Ever, there has been no shortage of relatable, theme-centered teen dramas, and viewers are loving every moment of it.
Just like other light-hearted and weighty teen dramas, Derry Girls makes the cut with its popularity, thought-provoking story, and hilarious content. Derry Girls premiered on January 4, 2018, and ended with the airing of a final special extended 45-minute long episode on May 18, 2022 after three seasons. Having aired on the British television network Channel 4, season three was added to Netflix in October 2022 following a long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, the stars of the show got busy during the long hiatus after season two.
Updated on April 12, 2023:Derry Girls was a highly popular series on Netflix, with fans continuing to binge the show even though it wrapped last May. In the past year, many of the cast members have taken on new jobs, ranging from television shows to movies to shorts, and even entering high-level franchises like Disney and DCEU.
Keep on scrolling to find out more about the series and what stars of the show have been up to since the show officially wrapped.
9 What Is Derry Girls All About?
According to Netflix's official site, "Amidst the political conflict of Northern Ireland in the 1990s, five spirited students contend with the universal challenges of being a teenager." These teens balance navigating high school at Our Lady Immaculate College, being a teenager as well as living amidst the Northern Ireland troubles and political unrest. The comedy series was written and created by Lisa McGee.
8 Saoirse-Monica Jackson Has Many Productions In The Works
The 28-year-old Northern Irish actress landed herself the lead role in Derry Girls as Erin Quinn, an ambitious 16 years old teenager with aspirations of becoming a famous writer. With her television debut in The Five back in 2016, Jackson has appeared in other television shows during Derry Girls like Urban Myths, and Murder in the Badlands (where she served as a narrator).
Jackson has four productions in the works as of this writing: two TV series entitled The Doll Factory and The Decameron as well as two films: Upgraded and the DC Extended Universe remake of The Flash.
7 Louisa Harland Is Joining The Disney+ Family
Louisa Harland plays Orla McCool, Erin's cousin. The character is eccentric, sweet, and a little ditzy. Harland has starred in 2017's Lost in London, alongside Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, vampire comedy horror film Boys From County Hell, and The Deceived.
Since the wrap of Derry Girls, Harland has starred in the short Noah and is working on the upcoming television series The Ballad of Renegade Nell, a Disney+ original show.
6 Nicola Coughlan Is Stepping Into The Spotlight
When not being a shady and sneaky gossip as Lady Whistledown on another Netflix original, Nicola Coughlan takes on being a teenager effortlessly in this sitcom. She portrays Claire Devlin, the logical but sometimes neurotic one among the group. She comes out as lesbian in the first season.
She now has her hands full taking on the leading role in upcoming season three of the period drama series Bridgerton. Following the recorded success of the previous seasons, viewers can expect nothing less from its successor. She is also in the 2023 Barbie film as one of the many Barbie dolls, and Seize Them!, a comedy set to release by the end of the year.
5 Jamie-Lee O'Donnell Is Sticking With TV Acting
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell portrays Michelle Mallon, the reckless rebel of the clan who constantly gets her friends into trouble. She is feisty, bold, and sometimes a bit harsh.
Having wrapped Derry Girls, she currently stars in a lead role as Rose Gill in the prison drama series Screw, which premiered in January 2022 and has been renewed for a second season. She also starred in the folk horror film Unwelcome and four episodes of Lloyd of the Flies, both of which released last year.
4 Dylan Llewellyn Has Been In Several Shows
Dylan portrays James Maguire, a socially awkward kid initially, and the only boy in the group as well as the first male pupil at an all-girls high school. He is also Michelle's cousin.
Llewellyn's television credits prior to Derry Girls include The Bill, Hollyoaks, Hollyoaks Later, and Holby City. He has booked leading and supporting roles in three series since the show's wrap: Pistol, Big Boys, and Beyond Paradise, as well as two upcoming movies that are in various stages of production.
3 Siobhán McSweeney Had A Busy 2022
Siobhán McSweeney plays the character of Sister Michael, a Catholic nun and the headmistress of Our Lady Immaculate College. She is the antagonist in this series. She has joked that she became a nun only for the free accommodation and nothing more.
Before her apathetic role as Sister Michael, Siobhán has taken on other roles starring in The Fall, Mr. Holmes, and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Since Derry Girls, she has been a part of several TV shows: Redemption, Murdoch Mysteries, Death in Paradise, and Extraordinary, as well as a short entitled Reroot.
2 Kathy Kiera Clarke Hasn't Taken On Any New Roles
Kathy Kiera Clarke plays the role of Sarah McCool, Orla's mother and Erin's aunt. She is naturally humorous, always super glammed and super tanned.
Having been acting since the early '90s, some of her acting credits include Head over Heels, Pulling Moves, and Omagh. She acted in the 2020 film A Bend in the River, starred in 2020 miniseries The Pale House, and season one of BBC television series Bloodlands, which was released in February 2021. Clarke has not been on-screen since the wrap of Derry Girls.
1 Ian McElhinney Continues To Expand His Resume
Ian McElhinney portrays Joe McCool, Erin and Orla's grandfather, who has a strong dislike for his son-in-law Gerry (Tommy Tiernan), who also happens to be Erin's father.
The 74-year-old actor and director has the most experience on the show, having appeared in many television series throughout his career that spans over forty years. He has appeared in HBO's Game of Thrones, Cold Feet, Krypton and The Tudors. His recent jobs include The Outlaws, Unforgotten, and The Ulysses Project.
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