The cast of Derry Girls have admitted they are ‘still processing’ their final day on set for the hit Channel 4 series, as the last season prepares to air.
In a new interview with Cosmopolitan UK, the stars tease the ’emotional’ final chapter ahead of the series three premiere on April 12.
Speaking about the wrap day, Dylan Llewelyn (who plays James Maguire) said his last day on set was ‘quite shocking’.
The final countdown: The cast of Derry Girls have admitted they are ‘still processing’ their final day on set for the hit Channel 4 series, as the last season prepares to air, pictured L-R Michelle Mallon (Jamie – Lee O’Donnell), Orla Mccool (Louisa Clare Harland), Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn)
‘Yeah, I think it’s very emotional to end. Like the wrap day was just – it’s quite shocking, just processing, “Wow, this is it,” and to say goodbye to, not only the cast, but the crew as well who we’ve worked with on season one and two. It’s quite emotional,’ he said.
Channel 4 have teased that the third and final series will see the characters navigate their personal troubles as adulthood nears, with Louisa Harland, who plays Orla McCool, declaring it to be ‘the best series’ while Nicola Coughlan (who plays Clare Devlin) gushs that ‘it’s a real love letter to the fans.’
She added though that it was an emotional rollercoaster putting together the final episodes, because of the pandemic delays.
‘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 explained.
Fan favourite: In a new interview with Cosmopolitan UK , the stars tease the ’emotional’ final chapter ahead of the series three premiere on April 12
There’s some surprises in store for fans, as Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who plays Erin Quinn, revealed their friends and family play 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 also some celebrity fans which no doubt would have loved to have been a part of the show as Nicola, who also stars on Netflix hit Bridgerton, revealed that SNL legends Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon told 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.
Third and final: Channel 4 have teased that the last series will see the characters navigate their personal troubles as adulthood nears, with Louisa Harland, who plays Orla McCool, declaring it to be ‘the best series’
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.’
Channel 4 have teased that the third and final series will see the characters navigate their personal troubles as adulthood nears:
‘While series one observed the gang navigating their teens in 1990’s Derry against a backdrop of The Troubles, series two charted them navigating their parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process,’ reads the synopsis.
Pretty: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, 28, donned an edgy satin dress alongside her co-star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell as they led the cast at the Derry Girls premiere in Derry on Thursday
‘In series three, which is coming soon to Channel 4 and All 4, viewers will see that while Northern Ireland is growing up this gang of eejits certainly aren’t anytime soon – while there’s hope in the air that The Troubles may finally be over their troubles are only just getting started as they get ever closer to “adulthood”
‘Derry Girls will once again follow Erin (Saoirse-Monica), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) and friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee) and Michelle’s tag along English cousin, aka The Wee English Fella, James (Dylan Llewellyn).’
Read the full interview with the Derry Girls cast on the Cosmopolitan UK website.
VIP: Also in attendance was the show’s writer and creator, Lisa McGee who put on a sophisticated display in an all-black ensemble
