Derry Girls to return to Channel 4 for a third series

Derry Girls will return to Channel 4 for a third series, it’s been announced.

Following the end of the second season this week, Derry Girls has been commissioned for a third, six-part series.

Set in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, Derry Girls takes a warm and hilarious look at the everyday lives of ordinary people living in extraordinary times. 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 tag along English cousin, aka The Wee English Fella, James (Dylan Llewellyn).

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. Siobhan McSweeney also stars as Sister Michael, the straight-talking Headmistress of Lady Immaculate College, where the gang attend.

Series two has so far averaged 2.7 million viewers in consolidated numbers, up on series one’s impressive figures of 2.5 million.

Ian Katz, Director of Programmes at Channel 4, commented: “At a time of great uncertainty about the future of the country thank God we have one unequivocally good piece of news to look forward to: the Derry Girls will be back to make our lives a bit brighter and more fun.”

Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, added: “It’s no surprise that Derry Girls continues to delight a growing legion of fans – a combination of magical writing and adorable characters make this show both timely and timeless. We’re delighted to confirm a third series – don’t tell Ma Mary, but I’m breaking open the Christmas cupboard in celebration.”

Lisa McGee, writer of Derry Girls, said: “I love writing this show and I’m so thrilled to be able to continue the Derry Girls story, thank you Channel 4, Erin and the eejits live to fight another day!”

Jimmy Mulville, MD of programme makers Hat Trick Productions, said: “We’ve been brilliantly supported by Channel 4 on the Derry Girls’ journey and I’m just thrilled we’re still on it and heading for series three.”

You can catch up on Series 2 of Derry Girls on All 4 here.