Warning: The following contains spoilers for Derry Girls Season 3.
Derry Girls is a refreshingly hilarious and quirky comedy series that everyone can’t help but love. Every character is unique and hysterical, regardless if they’re even trying to be. From tormented teenagers to sassy Sisters to odd aunts, every member of the Derry Girls squad has their own appealing and repellent qualities.
Of course, some characters are meant to be loved by all, while others are obvious irritants and antagonists. It’s time to stack up the iconic Derry girls and the rest of the characters on this show against each other - who are the least and most likable characters in the series?
Updated on October 19th, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: While the audience might love watching the characters of Derry Girls bring the 1990s to life, not every character in the show is exactly beloved. Some aren’t meant to be likable, so the audience has a reason to side with the teens at the center of the story. That remains true in the final season of the series that is now available on Netflix as well. While the central five teens might grow and mature, some other main characters don’t, leaving them to be even less likable than before.
Jenny Joyce
Jenny is supposed to be the teacher’s pet that not even the teachers really like. She’s arrogant, condescending, and frankly pretty annoying - and it’s not lost on viewers why the girls hate her.
Just like the rest of the gang, it’s hard for the audience to like anything about this character - and she’s definitely the least likable of the group.
Father Peter
Father Peter isn’t a bad guy. He tries very hard to get the local teens interested in the programs he’s implementing. The trouble is, he might be trying a little too hard.
While James ires him upon first meeting him, the truth is that James doesn’t have a ton of male role models in his life, and tends to cling to those who treat him well. Father Peter’s kindness, therefore, is definitely a trait to be ired. His tendency to get in over his head where the teenagers are concerned, however, doesn’t exactly endear him to the audience.
Colm McCool
Uncle Colm is often seen as the least favorite family member by Erin and her parents because his stories are just so boring. He finds a way to make a story that should only last a few minutes go on for hours.
That being said, Colm comes through when Erin needs him. When she and her friends are worried they might be arrested, and none of them want to call their parents, she calls in Colm to talk to the inspector for her. Him droning on while answering the questions is enough for all of the girls to be released to him.
Mary Quinn
The show centers mainly around Erin’s family, and Mary is a tough cookie that isn’t afraid to be blunt and harsh. She’s traditional, which gives Erin a tough time.
She offers some classic humor about moms and daughters, but she’s also pretty strict and blunt. Although she has her charms, it’s easy to dislike a lot about this character too - especially since most of the show is from Erin's point of view. The flashback episode to Mary's own teenage years in Season 3 goes a long way toward making her more likable for the audience.
Joe McCool
Joe is Mary’s dad, and he hates Gerry. This is totally funny, and he also has a great and wholesome relationship with Orla and Erin that makes fans love him.
However, while the comedy is there, fans can’t help but hate this old guy just a little bit - since Gerry never really actually did anything to him, and he can be pretty rude to this innocent man.
Sister Michael
Sister Michael is probably unlike any other television nun out there, as she hates children, and she’s super sarcastic. Of course, this makes Sister Michael one of the funniest characters too.
She has her moments that are a bit annoying or mean, but generally, she’s just there to be funny and give the girls (and James) a hard time. Plus, she also sees through Jenny's social schemes, and fans love that.
Sarah McCool
Everyone has an aunt like Sarah, and it’s easy to both love her to pieces and shake your head at everything she says. She isn’t the smartest, but she’s lovable.
She’s sweet and funny and pure, and while her ditziness can be a bit frustrating and annoying for the audience when it comes to moving the storyline along, there’s nothing to really hate about this character - even if Mary finds a few things to hate about her.
Gerry Quinn
Gerry is probably the biggest victim of the series. He’s the dad that’s just trying to do right by everyone, and he gets stuck in the crossfire of it all.
Fans pity him, but they also love him. He’s hilarious and sarcastic, and all of his mumbling to himself is relatable. He’s a good guy that’s easy for fans to love and relate to, despite what Joe says. No matter how badly Joe treats him, Joe is always there to do anything and everything for the family. He even is the one who breaks some tragic news to Clare in Season 3, and he encourages Mary to follow her dreams and go back to school.
Clare Devlin
Clare is the epitome of anxiety and feistiness, and this character has some pretty hysterical moments. However, this smart and innocent gal might be the least likable of the teens.
She can be overbearing and condescending - which just kind of makes her a bit cringey in Derry Girls. And while she’s really a good person at heart, she just isn’t the favorite when it comes to the Derry girls.
Erin Quinn
Erin is the ‘star’ of the series, and that just means that fans get to both hate and love her to death. She is worthy of a lot of groans and head shakes, but she’s also just lovable Erin.
She’s quirky, funny, warm-hearted, and smart. She makes some pretty dumb choices, but all in all, she’s hard to dislike, and she makes a great lead character.
