The Girls are back in town... city is ‘pure buzzing’ as cast of Derry Girls return to launch series two of hit comedy
SALES of cream horns skyrocketed, ‘balls were stalled’ and there were ‘cack attacks’ all round as the now lauded Derry Girls returned to their home city for the premiere of series two last night.
Throughout the day social media was awash with sightings of four of the actors — Saoirse Monica Jackson, Dylan Llewellyn, Louisa Harland and Nicola Coughlan — who were in Londonderry to showcase the second instalment of the hit Channel Four cult comedy.
The show, which tells the story of school friends Erin, Michelle, Orla, James and Clare, is set in the city in the 1990s and has reached a global audience of millions after being carried on Netflix.
The night before, a covert operation by the stars to view the spectacular new Derry Girls mural for the first time was foiled by one local family who captured them admiring their 20-foot selves on a pub gable wall.
The cast and writer Lisa McGee were back at the same spot in daylight for their official photos, causing quite the stir in the city centre, giggling as passers-by shouted some of the show’s best known catchphrases at them and taking pictures.
The city was ‘pure buzzing’ ahead of the red carpet premiere at the city’s Omniplex.
A plethora of authentic teenage Derry girls lined their route into the screening, screaming for the stars to get a selfie.
The show’s main character, Saoirse Monica Jackson, who plays Erin Quinn, delighted fans by joining them for photos and signing autographs.
All the cast members wore ‘I love JLO’D’ badges to signify their love for star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell who was not able to make the premiere because of work commitments in Dublin.
Show creator Lisa McGee said she was delighted the cast have been ‘adopted’ by Derry, so much so that they have immortalised them in a mural.
“I love Derry, I have always thought we were really funny,” she said.
“I’m just glad now that people are agreeing.
“For the cast, Derry has really adopted them, especially Dylan, they love him.
“To have a ‘wee English fella’ in a mural in Derry in a nice way is lovely.
“It’s weird seeing the mural. I can’t believe that it’s there and it’s real. But it’s an amazing and positive thing.”
Galway born Nicola Coughlan, who plays Clare Devlin in the series, said she was “over the moon” to be back in Derry for the premiere.
“It’s class,” she said.
“It’s so nice to be back here celebrating.
“It’s amazing to be back and not have to do too much work. It really feels like a big celebration.
“It’s brilliant that Channel Four make the effort to bring it back to the city because it wouldn’t be the same if we had it anywhere else.
“Because most things do screen in London, but it’s right that it is brought back here.
“The people of Derry have been so unbelievably supportive of us.
“Even the way they let us film here late last year was amazing. “We are so excited to be back. “It’s a big honour to be here and people couldn’t be kinder. “It is very much appreciated. “Derry people are so lovely, beyond lovely even.
“The city have definitely adopted us, they have taken us to their heart.
“The ‘wee English fella’ especially, they can’t get enough of him. “He’s like the most beloved Englishman in Ireland since Jack Charlton.
“Everyone is mad about him.”
The ‘wee English fella’, Dylan Llewellyn, says Derry is now his “second home”.
“I’m not so much an adopted Derry son, more of an adopted Derry Girl really,” he said.
“I love it here and everyone is just so welcoming.
“Derry feels like a second home to me.
“Derry people are so sweet, they rule. And to be on a mural in the city centre is insane.
“We are just so happy about it all.”
Series Two — which will include an appearance from Father Ted actor Ardal O’Hanlon — is expected to premiere on Channel Four later in the spring.