Channel 4 celebrate Derry Girls ratings success by commissioning second series

Channel 4 has recommissioned Derry Girls for a further series, following buoyant ratings for the network.

“Derry Girls is a blast of fresh air. It’s everything we want from Channel 4 comedy: young, warm, brimming with new talent and rooted in an underrepresented part of the country. And a hit to boot. I’m delighted that we’ve commissioned a second series and can’t wait to see what Lisa does next.” – Ian Katz, Director of Programmes at Channel 4

Channel 4 has, on the back of the reaction to the first episode, commissioned Derry Girls for a second run of episodes.

The first episode has so far part-consolidated at a brilliant 2.5 million viewers, with a 13.5% share of audience and more than double the slot average of 16-34 year old viewers. This makes it Channel 4’s biggest comedy series launch in almost 5 years whilst the show is also doing well on the broadcasters’ online platform All 4.

Derry Girls is the creation of acclaimed writer Lisa McGee who has mined her own experiences to create a candid, one-of-a-kind, family-centred comedy set against the backdrop of The Troubles.

The series follows Erin (Saoirse Monica Jackson), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) and friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell) and Michelle’s tag along English cousin, aka The Wee English Fella, James (Dylan Llewellyn) as they navigate their teens in Derry in the early 1990s. It’s a time of armed police in armoured Land Rovers and British Army checkpoints. But it’s also the time of Murder She Wrote, The Cranberries, MJ and Lisa Marie, Doc Martens, bomber jackets, The X Files, Nirvana and Wayne’s World.

The cast also includes Tommy Tiernan as Erin’s long-suffering father, Tara Lynne O’Neill as Erin’s mother, Ian McElhinney as Granda Joe and Kathy Kiera Clarke as Aunt Sarah.

“It’s a real thrill, and a testament to all involved, when a new comedy lands so well with such a broad audience. At the heart of Derry Girls are brilliant comedy characters that feel universal, mischievous and funny so it’s wonderful to be able to back it with a second outing so quickly and confidently.” – Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4

Derry Girls airs on Channel 4 Thursday evenings at 10pm.