DERRY GIRLS, A new sitcom set during the Troubles, began last night on Channel 4.
The show was written and created by Derry native Lisa McGee, who told the Telegraph that her 90s childhood was not reflected in the typical depiction of the Troubles:
Anything set during The Troubles tends to be a bit grim and bleak, but that just wasn’t my experience of Derry as a child and a teenager. It was a joyful place – I’d like to celebrate that.
Derry Girls centres on a teenage girl named Erin, her group of gal pals, and her family – Tommy Tiernan plays her dad, while Game of Thrones’ Ian McElhinney plays her granda.
People were hoping it would live up to the hype and happily, it did that in spades.
There was so much to love in the show’s take on Irish teenage life
The Trocaire 24 hour fast, wanting to be an individual (but only if everyone else was doing it), older girls picking fights with first years – lots to relate to there.
Along with the fresh perspective on daily occurrences during the Troubles
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Bomb scare? Ah, sure that’ll make it harder to get to school. Soldiers with guns checking the bus? Literal yawn.
The endless cracks at poor James were just gas
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James is an English lad who has somehow ended up as the only male pupil in an all-female school in Northern Ireland. Of course he’s going to be the butt of several jokes.
Everyone has found a new role model in Michelle
The fearless leader of the pack, peddling Avon and perving on British soliders. The hero we all deserve right now.
One of Derry’s most famous Girls was even watching
NADINE! If that isn’t a seal of approval, we don’t know what is.
Derry Girls continues next Thursday at 10pm, right on time to brighten up these cold January nights. Book an appointment with the sofa.
