Nicola Coughlan reveals why filming Derry Girls' final episode was 'stressful'

The hit series is coming to an end!

Author: Alex RossPublished 29th Mar 2022

After dropping a brand new trailer on St Patrick's Day, bosses at Derry Girls have got us seriously HYPED for the third and final series of the hit comedy show, created by Lisa McGee.

Although we have no official release date for the hugely-antipcated series just yet, Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin), Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Jamie-Lee O'Donnell (Michelle), Louisa Harland (Orla) and Dylan Llewellyn (James) will all return to our screens this year, and we can't wait!

Now, ahead of the new series, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has spoken about her role in Derry Girls, admitting filming for the final ever episode was very 'stressful'.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Irish actress Nicola said: "I think, because it was filming in COVID and it was really stressful, I don't know that we really processed it. It was weird. I think it's a show that now it really feels like it belongs to the fans, if that make sense."

It's no surprise Nicola is in high demand due to her incredible acting skills, but this meant she was filming both Derry Girls and the second series of hit Netflix show Bridgerton at the same time.

She added: "It felt like a blur because I wrapped Bridgerton on a Friday morning – Shondaland were really kind to me and compacted all my final scenes and it was heavy going because it was all the big stuff for Penelope.

"Wrapped on a Friday morning, flew on the Saturday, costume and makeup on the Sunday and into set with Derry Girls on a Monday. So my head was fried.

"But yeah, Shondaland, I'm eternally grateful that they kind of made that work and made it happen. The experience was a blur, but the scripts are great. They're always great."

Take a look back at some of the most hilarious quotes from Derry Girls:

"Hi, I'm a lesbian!" Clare
"Congratulations." Laurie
"Thank you." Clare
"How many of you are there?" Laurie
"Just me, I'm just the one lesbian, the rest are all straight." Clare
"How many tickets do you need? Laurie
"Oh I see, five please." Clare

"We can turn our jeans into hot pants any night of the week, we're talking about a free house here Clare, a free house. We're going to be drinking, dancing and riding." Michelle
"Quick question on the awl riding front there, who exactly will be we doing that with?" Erin
"Young, hot farmers, Donegal is coming down with them. Big strapping lads, ripped to fk from all the turf collecting." Michelle

"Ok I'm not buzzing about the sexism, but the fact the wants to thump James is a wee bit exciting." Michelle

"Why have you got a surfboard Joe?" Da Jerry
"Jim across the road gave me the lend." Grandpa Joe
"I'll start again, what are you planning on doing with the surfboard Joe?" Da Jerry
"Surf! It's something I've always fancied doing, ever since I saw that film, the one where the lads try to catch thon big fish." Grandpa Joe
"What film is that?" Da Jerry
"You know, the big fish, the musical fish!" Grandpa Joe
"The musical fish?" Da Jerry
"He hums a tune before he attacks people, they try to catch him, but their boat's too wee." Grandpa Joe
"Are you talking about Jaws?" Da Jerry
"That's the one!" Grandpa Joe
"Jaws made you want to take up surfing?" Da Jerry
"Aye!" Grandpa Joe

"This one's for Erin" Da Jerry
"Oh, private and confidential?" Ma Mary
"Will I stick the kettle on and we'll steam it open Mary?" Aunt Sarah
"That's actually a criminal offence Sarah." Da Jerry
"Your face should be a criminal offence!" Grandpa Joe
"Oh good morning Joe." Da Jerry
"I'm not going to steam open my daughter's mail, come on now Sarah, as if I have time for that…just her national insurance card." Ma Mary

"Aye Halloween is class, there's just something about fancy dress that turns an ordinary night out into an absolute free for all – riding wise." Michelle

"12th November, why is that date familiar? I've booked to see Bjorn Again, I'll have to give this a miss." Aunt Sarah
"You're going to give your own engagement party a miss?" Ma Mary
"Well now to be fair, as ABBA tribute acts go they're the best in the country." Grandpa Joe
"They really are the genuine article." Aunt Sarah
"Except by definition they're not, they are a tribute act." Da Jerry
"And you're an aehole act!" Grandpa Joe**

"But things are just warming up, the real talent will be arriving soon. Trust me, any second now those doors are going to burst open and a load of rides are going to storm in here and snog the faces off us." Young Ma Mary

"That pony tail is going to bring my breakfast up!" Michelle

"Aye Halloween is class, there's just something about fancy dress that turns an ordinary night out into an absolute free for all – riding wise." Michelle

"Oh Jesus, just hand me a spade and let me bury myself." Aunt Sarah

"Where's my Tayto?" Aideen

"There's wiser eating grass!" Michelle

"Don't say knickers in front of your father, he can't cope!" Ma Mary

"If she's not into walls, she's not into walls, Erin love" Aunt Sarah

"We're basically celebrities now, we're like The Corrs" Michelle

"I will buck a French lad so help me god" Michelle

"Ye must think I came up the Foyle in a bubble" Ma Mary

"Slainte, motherfers!" Michelle*

"Macaulay Culkin isn't a Protestant, ma!" Erin

"You don't look like a lesbian" Mae

"What were you doin' heading up Pump Street with a cream horn, pa?" Ma Mary

"Shift your short holes, let's go" Michelle

"I like my kneecaps, Michelle. They suit my knees" Clare

"No funny business with these Protestant lads, is that clear? I don't want anybody landing back here pregnant." Ma Mary

"I spent the summer in Killybegs and, seriously? Not a fucking word" Michelle

"Look, I wanted to be an individual but my ma wouldn't let me" Erin

"I've warned you before, Gerry. You say another bad word about Coronation Street and you may leave this house and never return" Ma Mary

"He's been footering" Granda Joe

"Aye, dead on Gerry. I'm going to give them a whole fiver, that's definitely happenin" Aunt Sarah

"You can't marry an Orangeman Michelle!" Erin
"It's a pity, cos I think there's something really sexy about the fact that they hate us so much" Michelle

"Foreigners fing love the Giant's Causeway" Michelle*

"You can't ring Childline every time your mother threatens to kill you" Michelle

"Protestants hate ABBA!" Orla

"The slightly taller fella, he says to me, says he 'Do you know who we are? And I says to him, says I 'Well I can't be sure now, maybe if you took off the balaclavas" Uncle Colm

"Is it just me, or is that gypsy an absolute ride?" Michelle
"Michelle you can't say that, they're called travellers now, you can't say gypsy anymore, it's insulting" Erin

"This is just wrong" Clare
"So are those ski pants Clare, but it didn't stop you pulling them over your hole this morning" Michelle

"Half-load goes against everything I stand for, you know that da" Ma Mary

"I feel a bit bokey" Michelle

"Howling like a banshee, it was" Uncle Colm

"If I was having an illicit rendezvous with my mistress, I'm not sure that the supermarket where my Father-in-Law is doing the big shop in, would be the best place for it really" Gerry

"Will we need our passports, Gerry?" Orla
"For Belfast, no I don't think so love" Gerry

"I can't find my purse!" Ma Mary
"I can see your purse right there" Gerry
"No that's my sterling purse! I'm talking about my punt purse! I can't find my punt purse Gerry, we are puntless!" Ma Mary

"Relax love, we've a good two or three hours before the rioting starts" Granda Joe

"This doesn't do my baps any justice" Michelle

"Winking! At your age?! Christ, I feel sick" Aunt Sarah

It was back on St Patrick's Day (Thursday 17th March), when Channel 4 bosses released the brand new trailer for series three of Derry Girls.

Without giving away too much about series three, it looks like the gang take a trip to the port too. We can see Da, played by comedian Tommy Tiernan, on the ionic Big Dipper at Barry's Amusements in Portrush.

Derry Girls creator and writer Lisa McGee shared the trailer, writing: 'We’re back b-----! Happy St Paddy’s day!''

Watch the series three trailer for Derry Girls below:

Whilst we wait for any information about a series three release date, you can binge the first two series of Derry Girls on All 4 now.

Now read:

Derry Girls just got referenced in The Simpsons

Derry Girls: Everything you need to know about the Northern Irish comedy

Nicola Coughlan’s iconic Derry Girls' phrase now immortalised in epic mural

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