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Movies & TV

11th Jan 2018

Derry Girls has been commissioned for a second series after just one episode has aired

Kate Demolder

”Don’t say knickers in front of your father, he can’t cope.”

Following a huge response to the new Irish TV show of the moment, the sensational Derry Girls has been commissioned for a second series by Channel 4 after just one episode.

The series follows six teenagers Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and Michelle’s tag along English cousin – aka The Wee English Fella – James, as they deal with teenage life in 1990s Derry.

Acting as backdrop of the show’s comedic influence is the Northern Ireland conflict at the time. Complete with random British army checks, talks of sectarian conflict and strong religious influences, the Troubles is as much of a character in the show as Big Mandy and wee Kumail from Ballybofey.

The first episode aired on Channel 4 on Thurday, 4 January at 10pm, boasting an audience of 1.6 million viewers. Channel 4 has revealed the episode has now been watched by around 2.5 million people, making it the broadcaster’s biggest comedy launch in almost five years.

Channel 4 announced on Thursday afternoon that following the ‘class’ reaction to the first episode of Derry Girls, a second series made up of six 30-minute episodes has been commissioned by Ian Katz, Channel 4 Director of Programmes and Head of Comedy Fiona McDermott.

Lisa McGee, writer of Derry Girls, says: “I’m absolutely delighted. Derry Girls is such a special project for me and it means so much that the audience have taken to Erin and the gang so warmly. I can’t wait to start writing series 2.”

The second episode of Derry Girls airs on Channel 4 on Thursday night at 10pm.

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