Derry Girls Receives Second Series

Channel 4 has confirmed the commission of a second series of Derry Girls.

Derry Girls is written by Lisa McGee who has used her own experiences of growing up in Co Derry, Northern Ireland to create a candid, one-of-a-kind, family-centred comedy set against the backdrop of The Troubles.

The series follows Erin (Saoirse Monica Jackson), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) and friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) and Michelle's English cousin, aka The Wee English Fella, James (Dylan Llewellyn) as they navigate their teen years in Derry in the early 1990s.

The series also stars Tommy Tiernan as Erin's long-suffering father, Tara Lynne O'Neill as Erin's mother, Ian McElhinney as Granda Joe and Kathy Kiera Clarke as Aunt Sarah.

The gang are used to seeing their country on the nightly news and speaking in acronyms (The IRA, The UDA, The RUC). It is a time of armed police in armoured Land Rovers and British Army checkpoints – but it's also the time of Murder She Wrote, MY and Lisa Marie, bomber jackets and The Cranberries.

A second 6x30' series has been commissioned by Ian Katz, Channel 4 Director of Programmes and Head of Comedy Fiona McDermott.

Ian Katz said: "Derry Girls is a blast of fresh air. It's everything we want from Channel 4 comedy: young, warm, brimming with new talent and rooted in an underrepresented part of the country. And a hit to boot. I'm delighted that we've commissioned a second series and can't wait to see what Lisa does next."

Fiona McDermott added: "It's a real thrill, and a testament to all involved, when a new comedy lands so well with such a broad audience. At the heart of Derry Girls are brilliant comedy characters that feel universal, mischievous and funny so it's wonderful to be able to back it with a second outing so quickly and confidently."

Jimmy Mulville, Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions, commented: "We love this show and to be given the go-ahead for a second season after only one episode is a fantastic vote of confidence from the Channel. Other broadcasters could take note."

Lisa McGee, writer of Derry Girls, said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Derry Girls is such a special project for me and it means so much that the audience have taken to Erin and the gang so warmly. I can't wait to start writing series 2."

Derry Girls was commissioned for Channel 4 by Head of Comedy Fiona McDermott and Commissioning Editor Jack Bayles. The series is written by Lisa McGee. Caroline Leddy, Liz Lewin and Jimmy Mulville are Executive Producers. The comedy is a commission for Hat Trick Productions and is a showcase of creative talent from Northern Ireland, entirely set and made locally. Derry Girls received funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

www.channel4.com

(JP/MH)