Derry Girls: Everything we know so far about series 2

It was a smash hit!

Author: Paulo Ross and Emma DoddsPublished 18th Feb 2019
Last updated 5th Mar 2019

Northern Ireland-based hit comedy Derry Girls earned itself quite the following when it hit our screens last year, and it's coming back for season two tonight (5th March) - much to the delight of its legions of fans.

The show features the exploits of Erin, her cousin Orla and their friends Clare, Michelle and English cousin, James, as they navigate their teens in Derry during the Troubles in the 90s.

Across the UK, the first series of Derry Girls was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers, making it Channel 4's biggest comedy launch since 2004. It was a big winner at the IFTAs picking up best comedy with Lisa McGee winning the award for best writer in a comedy or soap. Here's everything you need to know about season 2...

When will Derry Girls series two be on TV?

Tonight! Derry Girls is returning to TV on 5th March 2019 on Channel 4 at 9.15pm. Lisa McGee revealed on The Nolan Show that it would be airing this month last year, saying, "They’re talking about March, early March. See, that’s all Channel 4. That’s when I think it will be released and we’re talking about doing a third series. Hopefully, if the second one goes well and everything goes according to plan, we’ll do a third series."

What will happen in the new series of Derry Girls?

Lisa McGee has remained tight-lipped but told RadioTimes.com that she’s “toying” with covering the ceasefire and how it “actually unsettled people” as well as Bill Clinton’s 1995 visit to Derry. She also revealed she’d like one of the girls to get a boyfriend – or for Clare to have a girlfriend – and for James to join a band.

Is there a Derry Girls trailer for series two?

Channel 4 has released the trailer for the show's eagerly-anticipated return. Since season one ended, fans have been dying to catch a glimpse of the second installment... the wait is finally over! Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, James, their families and arch nemesis Sister Michael are all returning for season two.

Is Derry Girls on Netflix?

Derry Girls season one is still available on All4, Channel 4's catchup service. But it's also available on Netflix! Derry Girls got a global release on Netflix in November 2018, which saw a new wave of tens of thousands of international fans tune in.

Swipe through to see the phrases and sayings only someone from Northern Ireland would know...

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Derry Girls: Everything we know so far about series 2
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Who are the Derry Girls actors?

Saoirse-Monica Jackson stars as Erin Quinn, having previously had roles in Broken and The Five. Clare Devlin plays Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland is Orla McCool and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell plays Michelle Mallon.

Former Hollyoaks actor Dylan Llewellyn stars as James Maguire, Tara Lynne O'Neill plays Ma Mary with Kathy Kiera Clarke as Aunt Sarah and Sister Michael is played by Siobhan McSweeney, who had a small role in Alice Through the Looking Glass. Game of Thrones fans will recognise Granda Joe AKA Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy.

What are the Derry Girls cast's ages?

Saoirse-Monica Jackson is 25-years-old, Louisa Harland is around 24-years-old, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell is 26-years-old, Dylan Llewellyn is 25-years-old and Nicola Coughlan is 31-years-old.

How many viewers did Derry Girls season one have?

The comedy, set in the early nineties during The Troubles, averaged with 519k and 64.2% share of the audience. It reached 54% of the Northern Irish audience, including 65% of 16-34 year old viewers.

Across the UK, viewing figures reveal that season one of Derry Girls was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers, making it Channel 4's biggest comedy since 2004 and Northern Ireland's most-watched TV show in 16 years.

Lisa McGee, the creator and writer, said, "Derry Girls is a project very dear to my heart and I’m delighted that so many people have joined us for the ride. It’s particularly special to me that the Northern Irish audience has supported it in the way that they have – 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 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’s crafted not only a proper gem of a comedy but also one which is run through with authenticity and relatability."

Where is Derry Girls filmed?

In Derry, of course! Some scenes were filmed in Shipquay Street, and some of the upcoming scenes for series two have been filmed at the Dockers Club in Belfast.

Will there be a Derry Girls season three?

Nothing has been officially confirmed, but Lisa McGee told The Nolan Show, "We’re talking about doing a third series. Hopefully, if the second one goes well and everything goes according to plan, we’ll do a third series."

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