Northern Ireland

Review: Derry Girls series two even funnier than first time around

Derry Girls stars Saoirse Monica-Jackson as Erin, Dylan Llewellyn as James Maguire, Nicola Coughlan as Clare and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as Michelle. Picture by PA/Channel 4/Peter Marley
Derry Girls stars Saoirse Monica-Jackson as Erin, Dylan Llewellyn as James Maguire, Nicola Coughlan as Clare and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as Michelle. Picture by PA/Channel 4/Peter Marley Derry Girls stars Saoirse Monica-Jackson as Erin, Dylan Llewellyn as James Maguire, Nicola Coughlan as Clare and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as Michelle. Picture by PA/Channel 4/Peter Marley

DERRY Girls series two looks set to be even funnier than first time around, if episodes one and two are anything to go by.

At a special preview last week, the latest antics of the gang had the audience rolling in the aisles.

Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney) – headmistress at the girls’ school – appears to have an enhanced role in this latest run.

McSweeney became one of the stars of series one following her portrayal of a Derry nun in all her cynicism. This time out, she appears to be playing a larger role in the girls’ – and James’s (Dylan Llewellyn) – lives.

The earthy language of last year's shows also appears to have been toned down a little, perhaps for the Netflix audience after Derry Girls experienced success internationally.

However, the comedy loses nothing for that and writer Lisa McGee’s dialogue is still wickedly authentic.

Read More

  • Stars of Derry Girls to join march on Westminster calling for abortion reform
  • Derry Girls is back for series two and the girls are still a 'disaster'

Episode one gets underway with the girls and cousin James heading off to one of those bridge-building outdoor pursuits camps so beloved of the 1990s.

For Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), mixing with a Protestant boys’ school is the perfect opportunity for a snog.

But on realising that her “date” is a pure young man, Michelle immediately and loudly demands a swap with Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson).

Throughout, the sub-plot is Erin’s mum Ma Mary’s concern over the “big pot” she borrowed from Michelle’s mother and the fact that the Mallons don’t care about its return.

Fr Peter (Peter Camption), he with the perfect hair from series one, also returns after having spent time out from the priesthood and the episode, and the bridge-building attempts, end in hilarious confusion after Clare (Nicola Coughlan) mishears the word "athletes" for "Catholics".

Da Gerry’s (Tommy Tiernan) hopes for a quiet night for two at the cinema with Ma Mary take a turn for the worse in episode two.

Writer Lisa McGee (left) joined the cast of Derry Girls (from left) Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Louisa Harland (Orla), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin) and Dylan Llewellyn (James) at a preview in Derry last week. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Writer Lisa McGee (left) joined the cast of Derry Girls (from left) Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Louisa Harland (Orla), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin) and Dylan Llewellyn (James) at a preview in Derry last week. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Writer Lisa McGee (left) joined the cast of Derry Girls (from left) Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Louisa Harland (Orla), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin) and Dylan Llewellyn (James) at a preview in Derry last week. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Granda Joe (Ian McElhinney) and the whole family tag along, including boring Uncle Colm (Kevin McAleer) who regales the cinema lady with his take on “boiled sweets” and a man from Ballynahinch.

Series Two will culminate with former US president, Bill Clinton's visit to Derry in 1995. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Series Two will culminate with former US president, Bill Clinton's visit to Derry in 1995. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Series Two will culminate with former US president, Bill Clinton's visit to Derry in 1995. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Back with Erin and the girls, a plan to kidnap the Child of Prague in protest at what they believe was Sister Michael’s unfair sacking of a new, and cool, English teacher goes delightfully wrong, once again with hilarious consequences for the friends.

Series two draws on 1990s nostalgia while reflecting all the humour of teenage life in Derry at the time. It's pure irresistible.