The wee Girls are doing Derry well indeed
TV comedy Derry Girls has proved a record-breaking hit with viewers, becoming Channel 4’s biggest comedy launch in 14 years.
The show attracted a massive fan base when it first aired last month, as audiences across Ireland and Britain tuned in to see the hilarious antics of a group of teenagers growing up in Derry in the early Nineties.
Channel 4 confirmed yesterday that the series has been the most successful comedy launch by the station since 2004, proving a bigger hit than the likes of the The Inbetweeners, The IT Crowd, and Catastrophe.
The nostalgic comedy attracted an average of 2.5 million viewers across the UK, while also claiming the title of biggest ever comedy launch on catch-up service All 4.
It is also the most successful series in Northern Ireland since records began in 2002. It reached an average 64.2% share of Northern Irish audiences, including 65% of those aged 16 to 34.
The show’s creator and writer, Derry native Lisa McGee, said she is delighted that her project has proved so popular with audiences.
‘It’s particularly special to me that the Northern Irish audience has supported it in the way that they have,’ she said.
‘I’ve been blown away by the response to the series and am so excited that we get to do it all again with the second series.’
Fiona McDermott, head of comedy at Channel 4, said: ‘We are beyond thrilled that not only is Derry Girls our biggest comedy launch series since 2004, but that it is the biggest series ever to air in Northern Ireland.
‘This level of popularity is proof positive that Lisa has crafted not only a proper gem of a comedy but also one which is run through with authenticity and relatability.’
Channel 4 last month delivered the news that all Derry Girls fans have been waiting for when it confirmed the show will be returning for a second series.