Jamie-Lee O'Donnell
- Northern Irish
- Actor
Press clippings Page 4
Derry Girls returns for third series on Channel 4
Channel 4 has ordered a third series of hit sitcom Derry Girls following record ratings for the second series, which finished airing this week.
British Comedy Guide, 9th April 2019Derry Girls episode 2, review
Iconoclastic sitcom that deserves its growing reputation.
Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 12th March 2019Derry Girls, written by Lisa McGee, was another returning comedy that refused to succumb to "difficult second series" syndrome. Set in 1990s Northern Ireland, against the backdrop of the Troubles, Derry Girls once again boasted a sprawling cast with spirit to burn. Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) pontificated about peace from a bath, while Orla (Louisa Harland) sniped: "She's pretending she's on Parkinson again." Ma Mary (Tara Lynne O'Neill) obsessed over a "big bowl", while lesbian Clare (Nicola Coughlan) suffered Da Gerry's (Tommy Tiernan's) attempts to bond with her about kd lang ("You're very talented people").
This episode featured a hopeless Protestant/Catholic school bonding trip, not helped by Jamie Lee O'Donnell's incorrigible Michelle, a girl so lairy I wouldn't put it past her to give a priest a wedgie. Meanwhile, "Small angry penguin woman" Sister Michael (Siobhán McSweeney) was on scene-stealing form again: "You'll go far in life, Jenny, but you'll not be well liked."
Derry Girls has been rightly praised for turning tired Northern Irish stereotypes to ashes in front of our eyes. It's also damn funny, with an ensemble so fine-tuned it verges on comedic ballet, and prickly writing that even dares to lampoon the yearning for peace: "All right, Erin, there's no need to make a big song and dance about it". Great stuff.
Euan Ferguson, The Guardian, 10th March 2019Cracking Brexit and borders with the Derry Girls
They're back. Say hello again to the Fab Five as the Derry Girls get ready for series 2 with Adrian Lobb.
Adrian Lobb, The Big Issue, 4th March 2019TV preview: Derry Girls, C4
This is a show that rarely hits a bum note.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 4th March 2019Derry Girls interview
Maiden City takes cast and crew to its heart.
Kelly Allen, Belfast Telegraph, 4th March 2019Derry Girls talk about their platform for change
Stars of the hit show told The Big Issue what causes they're willing to fight for in this week's magazine as Nicola Coughlan heads to Westminster to protest Northern Ireland's abortion laws.
Hannah Westwater, The Big Issue, 24th February 2019Derry Girls captures teenage girlhood everywhere
Many shows about teens don't push past cliches - but Derry Girls gives us complex, unpredictable characters who are never completely in control.
Nadine von Cohen, The Guardian, 19th January 2019The 50 best TV shows of 2018: No 6 - Derry Girls
The year's breakout comedy was a giddy mix of poignancy and nostalgia - and its subject matter couldn't have been timelier.
Shilpa Ganatra, The Guardian, 13th December 2018I Talk Telly Award nominations published
Nominees for TV blog I Talk Telly's 2018 awards have been revealed, with the final series of ITV's Benidorm amongst those leading the running.
British Comedy Guide, 3rd November 2018