Looking to add something new and different to your Netflix watchlist? Among the dramatic coming of age movies and action-packed fantasy shows offered by Netflix lies Derry Girls, a slice of life comedy taking place amid the turmoil of a violent conflict between Catholics and Protestants in 1990s Ireland. The show contains what is, in my mind, the signature European style of dry, sarcastic humor that might come off at times as rude. This humor and the writing of the characters are what really sold the show for me. In two short seasons, this show provides plenty of laughs, tears and ‘90s nostalgia for the whole family.
Derry Girls follows perpetual troublemaking teenagers Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), Clare (Nicola Coughlan, best known for her role as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton) and James (Dylan Llewellyn) through their day-to-day lives. These five main characters never have a dull moment; each episode comes with a new conflict or outrageous plot point, from bomb scares to escaped polar bears, criminal stowaways to drug-laced scones. Among the excitement, the show also deals with very serious issues such as morality in publishing, LGBTQ+ rights, toxic friendships, the effects of wartime and religious conflicts. Every character has unique quirks that only add to the adventure as these high schoolers navigate wartime Ireland.
If you’re someone who likes shows that aren’t a big time commitment, Derry Girls is just the show for you. With just two six-episode seasons, each episode clocking in at under 25 minutes each, Derry Girls is a quick and fun watch, and I recommend it to anyone who likes European comedies, or comedy shows in general.
By Erin Wendorf, Copy Editor