All eyes on Channel 4 tonight as new Derry sitcom has eagerly-awaited debut

Tonight's the night everyone in the city is waiting for - the chance, finally, to see ourselves as other see us, when Channel 4's new comedy series set in Derry is aired to the public.

The Derry News secured an interview with rising star Saoirse Jackson, who plays the lead role of Erin Quinn, an aspiring writer with a fragile teenage ego. And actor Saoirse took the chance to give the Derry public a few exclusive insights into what makes her character tick.

Based on creator Lisa McGee’s experience of growing up in Derry in the 90s, much of the show was filmed in the city.

“Erin definitely has ideas above her station,” explained Saoirse. “She’s incredibly ambitious and incredibly bossy.

“She reckons herself as a real academic, but she’s really more of a creative person.

“She’s stalked by her cousin who lives across the street and embarrasses her every possible opportunity.

“And she has great leadership skills, but at the same time she would throw her friends under a bus for a second look at the boy she fancies.”

Saoirse went through a six month audition process to win the role of Erin, but has been very much in demand since graduating from The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester.

The 23-year-old starred in Sky One drama ‘The Five’ and is currently in rehearsals for ‘The Ferryman’ which is directed by Sam Mendes and opens in the West End on Monday.

She said she and fellow local actress Jamie Lee O’Donnell were on hand to help their Derry Girls co-stars master the famous maiden city twang.

“We were living together in a block of apartments during filming,” Saoirse explained.

“It was like a boarding school, but better.

“Nadine Coyle was a major key in helping people get the accents.

“The ‘mammy I forgot my passport’ video was very much an inspiration,” she joked.

Ear for comedy

Writer Lisa McGee was also on set every day to offer advice.

“She is so hands on and she has a real eye for what is funny,” said Saoirse.

“She has an ear for comedy and she knows what works.

“It was a great privilege to do be playing a lead in a drama and have supporting actors who are such well recognised comedians as Tommy Tiernan and Kevin McAleer.

“There were so many laughs in the room.”

Saoirse caught the acting bug at an early age. “My mum sent me to speech and drama when I younger and then for anything that was offered in school that was drama related I would have been the front of the queue,” she recalled.

And as a former pupil of St Cecilia’s she related to her character’s experience of attending an all-girls school and having strong female role models.

“Derry Girls is all about the friendships of the girls and the relationships they have with their mothers and their female teachers.

“It’s about growing up and deciding what kind of person you are going to be.

“I went to St Cecilia’s and I had group of friends exactly like these girls.

“We slagged the life out of each other.

“We met in art class and that was it. They are still my best friends.”

Feels like Derry

Saoirse says despite being set in the 90s the show will resonate with all ages

“Teenagers today have different experiences growing up. But it’s still relevant.

“They are still selfish they are still self-absorbed and they are still d***s to their best friends.

“It really does feel like Derry. It’s got so much vibrancy.

“Even though Derry doesn’t have a big population it always feels busy and he has really captured that.

“It’s a true representation of the people of Derry and refreshing for young girls to see real girls on TV.”