'I will never get sick of talking about 'Derry Girls' says Lisa McGee
Derry screenwriter and creator Lisa McGee has told how she will ‘never get sick’ of talking about her hit show, ‘Derry Girls’.
Lisa was a special guest on Friday Night’s ‘Late Late Show’ on RTE One, with host Patrick Kielty.
She was joined on the show by fellow Derry woman, actor Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
Saoirse-Monica played ‘Erin’ on Derry Girls, which she told Patrick she was ‘so proud of.’
The pair appeared on the show to also speak about Lisa’s new series, ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ which premieres on Netflix on February 12.
Lisa is the writer and producer of what she described as a ‘comedy-mystery,’ while Saoirse-Monica plays an ‘very intense and interesting’ character.
Lisa told host Patrick she is ‘so nervous’ for the show’s release, because she really wants ‘everyone to love it.’
She added how she ‘always wanted to have a crack at a murder mystery’ and quipped that she ‘always wanted to be Jessica Fletcher (of Murder She Wrote fame) when she was growing up.
"I wanted to wrote novels that were really successful, but that were easy to write, so that I also had time to solve murders on the side.”
Her love of ‘Murder She Wrote’ was so strong, she told viewers, that the show’s theme tune was the first dance at her wedding.
The interview gave a little bit more away about ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ including that Patrick Kielty himself will make a cameo appearance.
Derry and Donegal will also be seen on screen, as parts of the show were filmed here.
Lisa said: “We thought we’d have to, or else we’d never live it down! We couldn’t make a show with Belfast in the title and not represent Derry.”
As for ‘Derry Girls’ itself, Lisa said that she will ‘never get sick’ of talking about it.
"I waited so long to write a show about my home and the people I grew up with. I’m just so proud I was able to do it and people responded the way they did. I love chatting about the show.”
Fans of the show, however, could be disappointed if they’re waiting on another series soon, as Lisa confirmed this isn’t in the pipeline. “Not at the minute. I’m so happy with how I left it and I think everyone else involved is as well. Hopefully, I’ll work with people in other shows and stuff. Never say never – but, for now, there are no plans.” Saoirse-Monica also explained how people in Derry are so proud of the series.
"I think people are so delighted to be represented in that way and I’m stood there right there with them. I’m so proud of the show."
She added: “There’s nobody that loves Derry Girls as much as the Derry Girls.”
Saoirse-Monica added how it was ‘such an honour’ to be in ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’.
"And also, to have a writer from your hometown, Lisa, that’s so talented and gives such an amazing and funny voice to our people. To be back doing this again, I’m buzzing. I’m delighted.”
She quipped: “I think if Lisa asked me to read the back of a Pot Noodle I’d do it and I’d give it my all!”