As the last season of Derry Girls prepares to premiere, the cast has acknowledged that they are still ‘processing’ their final day on set for the beloved Channel 4 series.
The cast preview the ’emotional’ last chapter in a new interview with Cosmopolitan UK, ahead of the series three debut on April 12.
The third and final series, which will air on Channel 4, will see the characters navigate their personal problems as they approach adulthood, with Louisa Harland, who plays Orla McCool, declaring it to be ‘the best series,’ and Nicola Coughlan, who plays Clare Devlin, exclaiming that ‘it’s a real love letter to the fans.’
However, due of the pandemic delays, she adds that putting together the final episodes was an emotional rollercoaster.
‘It was hard to get to this point because we were delayed so many times by Covid and so many other reasons. So getting to do it was a challenge…But I just hope that we’ve done the fans of the show proud because that’s what we all want so much,’ the actress elaborated.
Fans are in for a treat, as Erin Quinn’s co-star Saoirse-Monica Jackson confirmed that their friends and family will be appearing as extras this time around.
‘Those are memories you’ll keep forever. Even when it’s somebody else’s family, it feels like such a special day…They don’t get full parts, they just get to be in the background of a shop or a teacher or at a party, but it’s so lovely when they’re there,’ she said.
There are some famous fans who would have wanted to be a part of the programme, as Nicola mentioned that SNL icons Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon informed her they are fans.
‘I went to SNL a few weeks ago, and I got to meet Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon, who are like two of my biggest heroes. And the first thing Kate McKinnon said to me was ‘My favourite Derry Girl.’ I’m sorry, guys. I’m sorry. That was pretty crazy,’ she gushed.
Saoirse added that she hopes it might not be the last time we see the beloved characters on screen as she admitted ‘if [creator] Lisa [McGee] came to me with an opportunity, I would definitely be intrigued and would love to do it down the line.’
Jamie-Lee O’Donnell agreed, adding: ‘I mean let’s be honest, I would take Lisa’s phone call any day of the week about anything. But because every single character has so many layers to them and different personalities, the spin-off possibilities are endless. It would be interesting to see if that’s something Lisa is interested in.’
The protagonists will manage their own problems as maturity approaches in the third and final season, according to Channel 4:
‘While series one followed the gang as they navigated their adolescence in 1990s Derry against the backdrop of The Troubles, season two followed them as they navigated their parents, parties, love interests, and school against the backdrop of a fragile peace process,’ according to the description.
‘In series three, which will premiere on Channel 4 and All 4 shortly, viewers will discover that although Northern Ireland is growing up, this gang of eejits isn’t – while there is hope in the air that The Troubles may finally be over, their problems are just just beginning as they draw closer to “adulthood.”
‘Derry Girls will follow Erin (Saoirse-Monica), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland), and their pals Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee), and Michelle’s tag-along English cousin, dubbed The Wee English Fella, James (Dylan Llewellyn) once more.’
