The Reel Review
Set in Derry, Northern Ireland in the late 1990s, this irreverent sitcom now on Netflix follows the exploits of 16-year-old Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), her potty-mouthed, motley crew of lovable fools, and their never-ending harebrained schemes. Loosely based on show creator Lisa McGee’s own upbringing, think of it as a teenage, working class version of Seinfeld, with really strong accents. (Turn on the subtitles, non-Irish viewers, or be forever lost!) Erin’s tribe of misfits include her weirdo live-in cousin Orla, the nervously twitchy Clare, tramp-in-training Michelle, and Michelle’s newly-arrived, live-in cousin James – who has the terrible misfortune of being English, and must attend the all girls school for his own safety. Let the jokes begin!
A cleverly written story, a joyous cast of characters, and fun 90s pop tunes (among them, R.E.M., Madonna, a LOT of Salt-n-Pepa (yay!), and of course, The Cranberries), make for an interesting juxtaposition against the ever-present, harsh realities of The Troubles – that era’s guerrilla fighting between Irish nationalists and British loyalists that included terrorist bombings, military blockades and sometimes violent protests. It sounds odd for a comedy but it works, showing that life, and gleeful idiocy, persists even in the most trying of times. And the adult supporting cast is pretty funny too – in particular, the always exasperated headmistress Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney), making us look forward to classes resuming in season two.
REEL FACTS
• Derry Girls was recently honored with a large public mural at the gable end of Badgers Bar in Derry’s city center. In Northern Ireland, it is a tradition to paint murals on the outside of buildings to depict the region’s cultural and political history.
• Although set in Derry, parts of show are also filmed in Belfast – the school scenes are filmed at Hunterhouse College, an all girls grammar school.
• Derry Girls will be back – season two is expected to air later this year.
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