Here's everything that happened in Derry Girls season one
And everything you need to know about the first season
The popular Channel 4 series Derry Girls captured all of our hearts ever since it first landed on our screens, thanks to its hilarious quotes and brilliant characters, like Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) and James (Dylan Llewellyn).
Derry Girls season one landed on our screens back in January 2018, and was subsequently followed by two more brilliant series. To get to know the show a little better, we've recapped what happened in the very first series. Here's everything you need to know about Derry Girls series one...
What happened in Derry Girls season one?
WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
Michelle introduced her English cousin James to Erin, Clare and Orla. The gang found themselves in detention after a fight occured on the school bus. Whilst in detention, 97-year-old Sister Declan confiscated Michelle's lipstick and Erin's diary, but suddenly died.
The group wanted to go on a school trip to Paris, but it cost £375 each. After seeing an advert for part-time jobs at the chip shop, they decided to try and earn the money for the trip. Michelle stole the noticeboard, so that they were the only applicants. The owner of the shop, Fionnula, later found out, so the pals cleaned the shop whilst she was at a yoga class. However, Michelle accidentally set fire to the flat above the shop.
After the group studied for a history exam all night, they saw a dog which looked like Erin's dog Toto, who had recently died. They followed it into the church, and it then urinated, which dripped down onto a statue of the Virgin Mary and Clare thought the statue was weeping. Michelle thought the group no longer have to sit their exam, so Father Peter investigated it. Erin later found out that her mother faked Toto's death and gave the dog to their neighbour. She later confessed to Father Peter after she wrongly thought he was attracted to her.
Some Ukrainian teenagers arrived in Derry on an international exchange following the Chernobyl disaster. The Quinn family hosted Katya, who was attracted to James. At Jenny's party, James planned to lose his virginity with Katya, but Erin falsely accused her of being a prostitute when she was really collecting money to get Jenny a thank you present.
Erin's family and her friends took a trip to County Donegal to avoid the Orange Walks. The group then found an IRA terrorist hiding in the boot of the car. Erin became the editor of the school magazine. When she was looking for a story, she came across an anonymous entry in a school competition that was written by a lesbian student.
Clare later came out to Erin, revealing that she wrote the story. Orla performed a step aerobics routine to Madonna's 'Like A Prayer' at the school talent show, when she was ridiculed, the other friends all joined her on the stage.
When did season one of Derry Girls air?
The first episode of Derry Girls aired on Channel 4 on 4th January 2018.
How many series of Derry Girls were there?
In total, there were three series of the much-loved comedy. Series two landed in March 2019, whilst the third and final series first aired in April 2022.
How many viewers did Derry Girls season one have?
Season one of Derry Girls was watched by an average of 2.5 million viewers across the UK, which made it Channel 4's biggest comedy since 2004 and Northern Ireland's most-watched TV show in 16 years.
At the time, 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’s crafted not only a proper gem of a comedy but also one which is run through with authenticity and relatability."
Is Derry Girls on Netflix?
It sure is! You can watch all three series of the show on Netflix. The show is also available to watch on Channel 4's streaming service.
Take a look at some of the best Derry Girls quotes:
"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
Now read:
Derry Girls: Everything you need to know about the Northern Irish comedy
A complete guide to the cast of Derry Girls
Everything you need to know about the wonderful Nicola Coughlan