The delightfully hilarious BBC show Derry Girls recently finished up its third and final season, although fans in America will have to wait a bit longer to watch it on Netflix. The series shows the lives of five teenagers during the Troubles in Northern Ireland – while their home is surrounded by turmoil and conflict, they are never without joy or wild antics.
The three seasons are utterly entertaining and immensely humorous as each character says some of the most ridiculous things, and it’s not without its deep moments. There are so many contenders for the best quotes from Derry Girls, but these surely take the cake.
Celebrity Religion
"Macauley Culkin Isn’t A Protestant Ma. Well, He Might Be. I Didn’t Meet Him At Friends Across The Barricades."
Of the main group, Erin Quinn, played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson, is the closest to the lead as it largely follows her perspective and shows her inner thoughts. She is an aspiring and creative writer, poetically capturing the Troubles in her underappreciated work. She has some great quotes throughout the series, including this one from the very first episode.
Many of her stories revolve around the generational differences between her and her parents, and her comments here about Macauley Culkin reinforce that. Also in the episode, she tries to “express her individuality” with a jean jacket, to no success. These moments come out of left-field, but land hilariously thanks to Jackson’s portrayal.
A Shoulder To Cry On
"If Anyone Is Feeling Anxious Or Worried Or Even If You Just Want To Chat, Please, Please, Do Not Come Crying To Me."
One of the funniest characters in the entire series is Sister Michael, the heistress for the girls’ school – full name Sister George Michael as revealed in the last season. She isn’t the typical school or religious figure, never lacking in authority or conviction, but full of sarcasm.
She has many funny bits in front of the rest of the school doing speeches such as this one in the second episode. In an already hilarious show, Siobhán McSweeney’s almost deadpan delivery sells her lines, making them stand out even more.
Making Money
"We Could, We Could Sell Our Organs, Or, And Forgive Me If This Is A Bit Left-Field, But Could We Not, You Know, Get Jobs?"
The extremely studious and tense Clare Delvin is played by Nicola Coughlan, who is set to take on the full starring role in season three of Bridgerton. She is often the voice of reason for the group, though she is largely ignored, like in this moment when they’re trying to come up with the money for a school trip to .
Particularly, this line is great because it’s a good and logical suggestion, but it comes off ridiculous among the ideas from her friends. Her big reactions to small things might make a fool of her at times, yet she is still not without her serious moments. At the end of season one, she comes out as a lesbian, and in the final season, tragedy greets her when her father dies from an aneurysm.
Welcome To The Club
"You're A Derry Girl Now, James."
Michelle Mallon is the wild child of the group, and most of her quotes are riddled with profanity and/or talk of sex and drugs. She is often at the root of when and how the girls get in trouble, like when she stole the job board from Finoula’s and then burned her home. She is also slagging off her cousin, James, for simply existing, but her best moment comes when she might lose him.
In the season two finale, she pleads with him to stay and delivers this beautiful line, a rose among Michelle’s many thorns. It also led to the great moment at the end of the episode when he comes back, shouting “I am a Derry girl!” and embracing his cousin and friends.
The Draw Of The Flame
“I Don’t Smoke Either, I Just Like Meltin’ Stuff.”
Many of the best quotes come from Erin’s quirky and eccentric cousin, Orla McCool. In fact, she is the first voice heard in the series, reading from Erin’s diary. Nearly everything she says is comedic gold because it's just so weird, and Louisa Harland delivers them perfectly.
This moment comes from the first episode and not only does it perfectly encapsulate her character and personality, but it is just supremely funny. It was a great way to really introduce Orla and let audiences know what fun they’d be in with her throughout the subsequent episodes.
Size Is Relative
“The Tact That People Here Use The Word "Wee" To Describe Things That Aren't Even Actually That Small!”
Among the Derry girls, there is a boy - a real-life boy like Pinocchio as he claims himself. Dylan Llewellyn plays James Maguire, Michelle’s wee English cousin who is forced to stay with her in Derry. He is often the butt of many of the jokes, constantly being berated by Michelle or the adults.
In season two, a new teacher, Ms. DeBrun, comes to the school and finds unique ways to motivate the students. They are asked to share what upsets them and release those feelings by hitting a ball, so he hilariously brings up how “wee” makes its way into most sentences in Derry in a classic way that helps make him such a likable character.
Always Fully Commit
“Half-Load Goes Against Everything I Stand For, You Know That Da.”
While Derry Girls focuses primarily on the five teens, the adults play an incredibly large role, especially Erin’s mother Mary, played by Tara Lynne O’Neill. Like her daughter, she has some hilarious reactions – like when she learned about her father’s new romantic affair – but it comes with a more mature perspective.
One great quote comes from her in the first season finale when all she wants to do is go about her normal day and do the laundry. She begins to interrogate her sister to get the necessary clothes so she can do it. It is simple, but that’s what makes it land humorously.
Stating The Obvious
“Well I Don’t Know About The Rest Of You, But I’m Not Enjoying This Bomb.”
As Ma Mary is quite similar to her daughter, Erin, the same is for Orla and her mother, Sarah. It seems that eccentricity is inheritable as she also says some ridiculous and funny things. Kathy Kiera Clarke slightly alters her voice, heightening the pitch, and plays with her speech patterns to make her lines even funnier.
This quote is a great introduction to Sarah, showing her distinct perspective. Of course, no one would be enjoying a bomb like the one they were watching on the tv, but she still asks with such earnest sincerity.
An Inappropriate Excuse
"I Caught Dementia. Riddled With It."
Many fans of Ser Barristan Selmy as Erin’s Grandpa Joe, played by Ian McElhinney. He is part of the generational divide that makes Derry Girls shine, though he is all on his own. When he’s not yelling about the Troubles or the happenings in Derry, he’s reprimanding Gerry for existing, just Michelle to James.
In the third episode of season three, while on a train, he delivers this line to avoid talking with someone he doesn’t know. It’s just utterly ridiculous and it could only be delivered by Grandpa Joe.
Change Is Scary
"There’s A Part Of Me That Doesn’t Really Want To Grow Up."
The series comes to a delightful end with a special episode focusing on the Good Friday Agreement. It also marked Erin and Orla’s eighteenth birthday party and the reveal that Michelle’s brother was sent to prison for murder, thus leaving some big unresolved feelings. Though it gets rocky with Erin and Michelle fighting they are able to reconcile, and everyone votes on the Agreement, marking an important moment in history.
This line is from the emotional last scene of the series. It perfectly emulates the angst and nerves that can riddle young adults as they grow up. It’s a sentiment that almost anyone could relate to, which is what makes it such a great and hopeful way to end Derry Girls.