Derry Girls star to explore the real Derry in upcoming Channel 4 documentary

Virgin Radio

25 May 2022, 07:54

Derry Girls might be over, but its star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell is taking a deep dive into the real Irish community for Channel 4. 

Jamie, who played mischievous Michelle Mallon on the beloved sitcom, is back on the broadcaster for their new documentary, called The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O’Donnell. 

According to The Irish Independent, Jamie will explore her upbringing within the Catholic community and how things have changed since the 1990s, as well as the impact of the Troubles. 

Jamie-Lee will return to her high school, with current day students discussing Derry’s regeneration and why many young people still end up leaving the city. 

In a statement, Channel 4’s commissioning editor for popular factual, Daniel Fromm, said: “I’m hugely excited to be working with Tyrone Productions on their first commission for Channel 4 – and with Jamie-Lee in a brand new role for her.

“Derry Girls has brought the city to national prominence; now this film gives a voice to a new generation of its young people, so they can tell us what it’s like to grow up there in 2022.”

Co-executive producer of Tyrone Productions, Patricia Carroll, added: “As a Northern Ireland company, we are delighted to be working with Channel 4 and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell on this very personal documentary at such an important time in the city’s story.

“Fiercely proud of her home city, Jamie-Lee is the perfect person to explore Derry’s past and share her hopes for its future, and we know that Channel 4 audiences will be both entertained and intrigued by what she discovers.”

Derry Girls came to a very emotional end, with the finale and special episode airing last week (18th May). 

We’re still a bit teary-eyed when the comedy came to an end after three series, and for another star, Dylan Llewellyn, there was one scene in particular that had him choked up.

The actor played the character of James, and was just as sad as the rest of us to see it come to an end.

The final episode was full of emotional moments, like Erin’s monologue at the end, Sister Michael being told she might have to leave Our Lady Immaculate and the gang voting on the Good Friday Agreement.

There was one moment, however, that had the wee English fella (AKA. Dylan Llewellyn) in tears.

Speaking exclusively to virginradio.co.uk on the red carpet of the new Disney+ series Pistol, the actor said: “It’s so poignant, and just the experience of being on the show was so unreal and incredible. I think, for me, I really loved Louise’s [Orla] dance at the end of the series.

“That dance number was just so cool and heartfelt, and that on its own is what got me so emotional, oh my god.”

Llewellyn added: “I’m so gutted it’s all over.”