Derry Girls may be coming to a conclusion, but writer Lisa McGee says she is determined to base a future television show in her native city.
The writer was speaking at last night’s launch of the final series of the record-breaking comedy series based on the exploits of four teenage girls and an English cousin in Troubles-era Derry.
McGee was joined by a number of actors from the show at a showbiz launch of series three at Derry’s Strand Omniplex Cinema last night.
Among the stars attending were Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who plays the lead role of Erin and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell who plays her sidekick, Michelle.
Also at the glitzy launch was Art Campion who plays heartthrob priest, Fr Peter and Game of Thrones star, Ian McElhinney who play Erin’s Granda Joe in the comedy show.
McGee told The Irish News she was also determined to base a future television work in her native city. She was joined on the red carpet by the show’s director, Michael Lennox.
“It’s been six years of my life and I’ve loved it and it’s been very good to me,” she said.
The award-winning writer said her stand-out memories of the show would be the creation of a Derry Girls’ mural in the city and the name-checking of the show in a recent episode of US comedy cartoon, The Simpsons.
“It just blew my mind. I just kept looking at it. I can’t believe that that happened.”
McGee said her immediate thoughts about the show was that it had come to an end and the characters had been taken to “where we wanted to take them”.
However, she refused to rule out a return to the comedy in the form of a film at some point in the future.
“You never say never but we both (with director, Lennox) have other projects which we need to go on and work on now. As much as we’ll miss it, we have to move on from there,” she said.
Future projects for the writer include a thriller to be written with her husband and a future comedy with a “big Irish” and Derry element.
While a future Derry Girls’ film was a matter for writer McGee, actors, Art Campion and Ian McElhinney said they would be “up for it” if it happened.
“If it happens why would you not want to do it,” McElhinney said.
O’Donnell, who is from Derry, said she feels really proud, and lucky to have got the part of Michelle.
“The fact that it has been received so well, such an honest portrayal of Derry, is something I’m really proud of,” she said.
Jackson, who played the lead role of Erin, said her character will always stay with her.
“It’s incredibly surreal to think this is the final chapter, I was very reflective this morning thinking about my first ever audition for Derry Girls and that moment of meeting the girls for the first time. It feels very full circle now,” she said.
“The show is something I’m so incredibly proud of, it’s very humbling and I’m so proud of Lisa.
“I’ll also never have another job where I’m doing a premiere that my whole family can come along to, it’s very special.”
Derry Girls’ series three starts next Tuesday night (9.15pm).
