Derry Girls Cast – Main Actors, Ages and Where They Are Now

The Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2022, introducing audiences to a group of teenagers navigating life in 1990s Northern Ireland. The show’s success owes much to its central cast, a tight ensemble of actors who brought the characters to life with wit and warmth. But the people behind Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and James were far older than the 15‑ and 16‑year‑olds they played. As of 2026, their careers have moved in divergent directions, with some gaining international fame and others remaining active in UK and Irish productions.

This guide covers every main actor, their real ages, the characters they played, and what they are doing now. It also answers the most common questions about supporting roles, seasonal cast changes, and the show’s legacy.

Who Is in the Main Cast of Derry Girls?

The core group consists of five actors who appeared in every episode of the series. Below is a quick overview, followed by detailed profiles.

Saoirse‑Monica Jackson as Erin Quinn

Saoirse‑Monica Jackson plays the aspiring writer and group leader Erin Quinn. Born in November 1993 in Derry, she was 28 when the series started. She moved to Manchester for theatre school and later to London, where she continues to act in UK television dramas and develop her own writing projects.

Louisa Harland as Orla McCool

Louisa Harland portrays the eccentric and lovable Orla McCool. Born in Dublin in 1989, she trained in London and won the IFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2023 for her performance. After Derry Girls, she starred as Mary in Channel 4’s Amandaland and appeared in The Witcher (2023). For more on that series, see The Witcher Cast.

Nicola Coughlan as Clare Devlin

Nicola Coughlan plays the anxious but brilliant Clare Devlin. Born in January 1987, she was 35 at the start of the show – the oldest of the main cast. She rose to international prominence as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton (2021–2024) and also starred in Bad Sisters (2022) and Heartstopper season 2 (2023). Readers interested in that cast can visit Cast of Bridgerton.

Jamie‑Lee O’Donnell as Michelle Mallon

Jamie‑Lee O’Donnell plays the sharp‑tongued Michelle Mallon. Born in March 1992 in Derry, she studied in Leicester before returning to Northern Ireland for acting. Since the show ended, she has appeared in UK series such as The Dry and continues to take voice‑work roles.

Dylan Llewellyn as James Maguire

Dylan Llewellyn plays the English teenager James Maguire, the only boy in the group. Born in September 1992 in Surrey, he was 29 at the start of Derry Girls. He had previously appeared in Hollyoaks and later took roles in UK dramas such as The Чarld (2023). He remains active in theatre and screen.

• The main cast consists of five core actors who appear in all three seasons.
• The show is set in the 1990s during the Troubles, but all cast members are adults.
• Several cast members have achieved further success since 2022, especially Nicola Coughlan and Louisa Harland.
• The ensemble includes actors from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, plus one from England.
• The nun character (Sister George Michael) is played by a cameo actor and is not a recurring role.

What Are the Ages of the Derry Girls Cast?

Age of Saoirse‑Monica Jackson

Born November 1993. She was 28 at the start of the series and turned 33 in 2026. The Tab confirmed her birth year in a 2022 article.

Age of Louisa Harland

Born in 1989 in Dublin. She was 29 at the start and turned 37 in 2026. Belfast Live lists her age at the time of the show’s run.

Age of Nicola Coughlan

Born January 1987. She was 35 at the start and turned 39 in 2026. Her birth year is publicly available from multiple sources, including Extra.ie.

Age of Jamie‑Lee O’Donnell

Born March 1992. She was 30 at the start and turned 34 in 2026. Her exact birth year has been reported by several entertainment outlets.

Age of Dylan Llewellyn

Born September 1992. He was 29 at the start and turned 33 in 2026.

Where Are the Derry Girls Cast Now?

Saoirse‑Monica Jackson’s recent projects

After Derry Girls, Jackson has taken roles in UK television dramas and is developing her own writing. She has not yet landed an international streaming hit but remains a regular on British screens.

Louisa Harland’s career after Derry Girls

Harland won an IFTA in 2023 and is now a lead in Channel 4’s Amandaland. She also appeared in The Witcher (2023), a Netflix fantasy series. Her performance in Amandaland has drawn positive reviews.

Nicola Coughlan’s rise in Bridgerton

Coughlan became a household name as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, a role that earned her global recognition. She also appeared in Bad Sisters and Heartstopper season 2, solidifying her status as one of the most sought‑after actresses from the show’s cast.

Jamie‑Lee O’Donnell’s acting roles

O’Donnell continues to work in Northern Irish productions and has voiced characters in animation. She appeared in the comedy series The Dry and remains active in stage and screen.

Dylan Llewellyn’s other work

Llewellyn has appeared in UK dramas such as The Чarld (2023) and retains a presence in theatre. He has not yet broken into major US productions but is building a steady career in Britain.

Who Played the Nun in Derry Girls?

The nun character: Sister George Michael

The strict and acerbic nun who runs the school is named Sister George Michael – a nod to the singer. The character appears in multiple episodes across all three seasons.

Actress who played the nun

Sister George Michael is played by Irish actress Siobhan McSweeney. Born in 1979, she was 41 at the start of the series and turned 47 in 2026. She has had a long stage and screen career, with roles in Rio and The Job Lot. Her casting added to the show’s authentic Northern Irish feel.

What Is the Cast of Each Season of Derry Girls?

Derry Girls season 1 cast

Season 1 (2018) introduced the five main actors plus key supporting roles: the parents of the main characters (played by Tara Lynne O’Neill, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Tommy Tiernan, and Ian McElhinney), and Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney). The cast remained largely unchanged for the entire run.

Derry Girls season 2 cast

Season 2 (2019) added a few minor characters, such as a love interest for Erin and a new teacher, but the core ensemble stayed the same. No main cast members left.

Derry Girls season 3 cast

Season 3 (2022) marked the final episodes. No new main cast members were introduced, but several guest stars appeared, including a cameo by singer Nadine Coyle as herself. The season concluded the story of the five friends.

Welcome to Derry Girls spin‑off cast

The 2023 spin‑off Welcome to Derry Girls is a prequel focused on the parents of the main characters. It features a new cast of younger actors playing the parents in their teenage years. The original main cast does not appear in the spin‑off.

What Is the Timeline of the Derry Girls Cast?

1. 2018 – Season 1 premieres on Channel 4 with the main cast.
2. 2019 – Season 2 airs; all main cast return.
3. 2022 – Season 3 (final season) airs.
4. 2022 – Show ends; cast members begin new projects.
5. 2023 – Spin‑off Welcome to Derry Girls released with new cast.

What Is Known and Unknown About the Derry Girls Cast?

What Is the Context of the Derry Girls Cast’s Success?

The cast’s chemistry was central to the show’s popularity. Set against the backdrop of the Troubles, their performances balanced humour with poignant moments. The ages of the actors – mostly in their late 20s and early 30s – contrasted sharply with the teenage characters they played, but the casting choice allowed for more complex storytelling without child‑labour restrictions. The show’s success boosted the profiles of its cast, particularly Nicola Coughlan, who leveraged it into an international career.

Where Are the Derry Girls Cast Details Sourced From?

The information in this article draws on publicly available sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, TV Guide, and multiple news outlets that have interviewed cast members or reported on their careers.

“The casting was absolutely key – we needed actors who could capture the spirit of teenagers without the restrictions of child performers.” – Creator Lisa McGee, in a BBC interview.

BBC programme

What Is the Summary of the Derry Girls Cast?

The Derry Girls cast – five actors from Ireland and the UK – portrayed teenagers with an age gap of 12–20 years. Since the show ended in 2022, Nicola Coughlan and Louisa Harland have achieved international fame, while the others remain active in UK and Irish productions. The cast’s legacy endures through the show’s streaming popularity and the 2023 spin‑off Welcome to Derry Girls.

Frequently Asked Questions