CHANNEL 4's new drama set in 1990s Derry premiered last night to an enthusiastic reception on social media.
Derry Girls, written by city native Lisa McGee, features comedian Tommy Tiernan and is based on the writer's experiences of growing up during the end of the Troubles.
That was class! #DerryGirls
— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) January 4, 2018
McGee, who grew up in Derry at the time, said: "Anything set during the Troubles tends to be a bit grim and bleak, but that just wasn't my experience of Derry as a child and a teenager, it was a joyful place.
"I'd like to celebrate that. It was also hugely matriarchal, so I was keen we have a large and varied cast of female characters.
Journalism in Norn Irn #1: How long before there's a social media post or a press release in my inbox asking why the programme isn't called Londonderry Girls? #DerryGirls
— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) January 4, 2018
"There were other things going on in Northern Ireland at that time, there were other stories, I'm excited to have the opportunity to tell some of them."
Derry girls was class, didn’t stop laughing the whole episode. #DerryGirls
— Eoghan Quigg (@EoghanQuigg92) January 4, 2018
The six-part sitcom follows 16-year-old Erin and her friends in 1994 as they navigate daily ups and downs, including romantic and family dramas, conflicts at school and body insecurities.
I think #DerryGirls is one of those show's you could watch a second time and catch jokes you missed the first time.. sign of a great comedy!
— Donna Martin (@DonnaMartin03) January 5, 2018
Don't hate me Derry people, I thought #DerryGirls was great but it could have been set in, say Newry or Belfast. I thought the humour etc was very Northern Irish and not Derry specific. *runs away*
— Lesley (@weswee37) January 5, 2018
2018 already has a hero
— Tina Ní Gharraidh ?? (@mgarry13) January 4, 2018
#DerryGirls pic.twitter.com/GlZwMQBqLu
Am I the only one that noticed a signed photo of Daniel O’Donnell on the nuns desk lmao #derrygirls pic.twitter.com/eF6kUHDA9r
— lucy barr (@lucy69937416) January 4, 2018