Derry Girls season 3 cast: who is in Channel 4 series with Nicola Coughlan - and Liam Neeson cameo explained

Digital Trends Writer

13th Apr 2022, 4:30pm

The cast of the Northern Irish comedy series Derry Girls return for its final season

Derry Girls Season 3 cast including - Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) and James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn) — Derry Girls Season 3 cast including - Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) and James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn) | Channel 4

Derry Girls Season 3 cast including - Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) and James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn) — Derry Girls Season 3 cast including - Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) and James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn) | Channel 4

Derry Girls shocked fans in its final season with a surpsie cameo from acclaimed Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson.

The Channel 4 series follows a group of four Catholic schoolgirls, and their token male friend as they grow up in the latter days of The Troubles in Derry.

Since the first season aired back in 2018, the show has become one of Channel 4’s most popular comedies, and has amassed a cult following.

The show’s ensemble cast were mostly unknown when the series began, but have expanded their portfolio since joining the cast.

As well as the return of the regular cast, season three also saw a surprise cameo in the very first episode.

Who is in the Derry Girls season 3 cast?

Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Erin Quinn

Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson) Photo Peter Marley.

Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson) Photo Peter Marley.

Erin is an aspiring writer suffering from crushing insecurity, and the main protagonist of the series.

Season three may include a romance between Erin and her friend James, and will see Erin find her feet and become a more confident person.

Jackson appeared as Sasha in crime drama the Five and guest starred in an episode of Skint.

Jackson is also due to appear in the delayed DC prequel series Flash.

Nicola Coughlan as Clare Devlin

Highly strung supergrass and the brains of the bunch, Clare Devlin (played by Bridgeton star Nicola Coughlan) has been a reluctant participant at times and a heady enthusiast at others as the group of friends hurtle into all sorts of shenanigans on the show. A loyal, caring but oversharing pal to Erin and co and a fan of energy drinks, hairbands and ski pants. Confirmed as the 'wee lesbian' in a letter writing competition, Clare is a bookworm and nerd but still way cooler than James according to Michelle. Just don't tell her any secret plans or any secrets full stop.... (Photo Channel 4)

Highly strung supergrass and the brains of the bunch, Clare Devlin (played by Bridgeton star Nicola Coughlan) has been a reluctant participant at times and a heady enthusiast at others as the group of friends hurtle into all sorts of shenanigans on the show. A loyal, caring but oversharing pal to Erin and co and a fan of energy drinks, hairbands and ski pants. Confirmed as the 'wee lesbian' in a letter writing competition, Clare is a bookworm and nerd but still way cooler than James according to Michelle. Just don't tell her any secret plans or any secrets full stop.... (Photo Channel 4)

Clare is a nervy student who is obsessed with coming top of the class at every opportunity.

She came out as a lesbian to her friends in the first season and she is expected to have a romance subplot of her own in season three.

Coughlan is known for playing Hannah Dalton in the 18th century prostitute drama Harlots, and Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s mega-hit Bridgerton.

Louisa Harland as Orla McCool

Louisa Clare Harland as Orla McCool — Louisa Clare Harland as Orla McCool | Channel 4

Louisa Clare Harland as Orla McCool — Louisa Clare Harland as Orla McCool | Channel 4

Orla is the Phoebe Buffay of the Derry Girls gang, a bit of an oddball who (thankfully) doesn’t care about being popular.

Harland will be recognisable for her Kayleigh in the crime drama series Love/Hate and Cloda O’Donnell in the thriller series The Deceived.

She also worked as the narrator of the Channel 4 reality survivalist series, Eden.

Jamie-Lee O’Donnell as Michelle Mallon

Michelle Mallon (brought vividly to life by Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) is that madcap friend everyone had at one time that got you into all sorts of situations and also got you into parties you'd no right to be at. Derry to the core, she is the coolest of the Derry Girls, impulsive and up for a sesh any night or day of the week. Michelle is a force of nature and the originator of much of the ill-fated plans and ideas the gang cook up in the quest for a bit of craic, a curt or a shortcut to success. She tells it like it is via a series of inventive expletives and despite her English cousin James being the bane of her existence, she tolerates him (most of the time) tagging along, though reminds him frequently he is at the bottom of the pecking order. A nemesis of Jenny Joyce, Michelle is also resourceful and determined to make the absolute most of hand the Derry Girls have been dealt in life. A true star turn. (Picture: Channel 4)

Michelle Mallon (brought vividly to life by Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) is that madcap friend everyone had at one time that got you into all sorts of situations and also got you into parties you'd no right to be at. Derry to the core, she is the coolest of the Derry Girls, impulsive and up for a sesh any night or day of the week. Michelle is a force of nature and the originator of much of the ill-fated plans and ideas the gang cook up in the quest for a bit of craic, a curt or a shortcut to success. She tells it like it is via a series of inventive expletives and despite her English cousin James being the bane of her existence, she tolerates him (most of the time) tagging along, though reminds him frequently he is at the bottom of the pecking order. A nemesis of Jenny Joyce, Michelle is also resourceful and determined to make the absolute most of hand the Derry Girls have been dealt in life. A true star turn. (Picture: Channel 4)

Michelle is the brash, sweary and heavy drinking member of the gang who deep down hides a heart of gold.

You may know O’Donnell for playing Eva in the Belfast-set coming of age series 6 Degrees, and her role as Rose Gill in prison drama Screw.

Dylan Llewellyn as James Maguire

James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn)

James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn)

James is Michelle’s cousin is an English schoolboy who has to join the students of the all girls Our Lady Immaculate College while he is living with Michelle.

Llewellyn previously played Martin Johnson in Hollyoaks and Joe Connolly in the animated series Dodo.

He is set to play Wally Nightingale in the upcoming Sex Pistols biopic series Pistol.

Siobhan McSweeney as Sister Michael

The sarcastic and apathetic head mistress, Sister Michael is the primary antagonist of the first two seasons of the show.

McSweeney played Ruth Cheetham in the crime comedy series No Offence, and Bríd Riordan in the detective comedy Holding.

Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney)

Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney)

Peter Campion as Father Peter

The vain but fairly handsome parish priest, Father Peter is a thorn in the side of Sister Michael.

Campion will be recognisable for his roles as Mickey Gibbs in Peaky Blinders and George Sheridan in the drama film Brooklyn.

Father Peter (Peter Campion) in episode three of Derry Girls. (Photo: Channel 4)

Father Peter (Peter Campion) in episode three of Derry Girls. (Photo: Channel 4)

Who else will be in Derry Girls season 3?

Other returning cast members are Tara Lynne O’Neill as Mary Quinn, Tommy Tiernan as Gerry Quinn, Ian McElhinney as Granda Joe, Kathy Kiera Clarke as Sarah McCool, Leah O’Rourke as Jenny Joyce, and Kevin McAleer as Uncle Colm.

Who did Liam Neeson play in his cameo?

The third season premiere saw the girls break into their school and try to steal their exam results early.

But this being Derry Girls, the plan fell apart pretty quickly, leading to the girls being hauled to the police station.

Once there they were questioned by Chief Constable Byers, played by none other than Taken star Liam Neeson.

A veteran Hollywood actor, having starred in Star Wars, Schindler’s List, and The A-Team, among scores of other projects, his cameo in the comedy series was a shock for many fans.

Liam Neeson questioning the Derry Girls

Liam Neeson questioning the Derry Girls

Derry Girls is airing now on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 9.15pm.

All episodes from season one and two are available to watch to watch now on All4.

Channel 4 Derry Girls

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.