Creator and writer Lisa McGee’s sitcom returns for its final outing with the highly anticipated third series. Set in the 1990s during The Troubles in Derry, the successful show introduced us to teens Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Orla (Louisa Harland), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) and the “wee English fella” James (Dylan Llewellyn).

They’re all making their return, as well as headmistress Sister Michael (Siobhán McSweeney). Damien Molony (Brassic) is also joining the cast as a sexy plumber, based on the trailer. Oi, oi!

Although, it seems like we’ll be getting less of Coughlan than we’d like. She explained that series 3 was meant to be filmed in January 2021, but had to be pushed back due to the pandemic. Coughlan was already committed to a little something called Bridgerton. She said, “[We had to make] compromises happen in the script of Derry Girls. It was devastating to me because I wanted to be in all of this.”

McGee told RadioTimes.com that the new episodes will continue on from 1995 as Derry approaches peace and the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which brought an end to the Troubles.

A romance between James and Erin might also be on the cards. McGee said, “I’ve always thought James likes her, but I think he maybe doesn’t even understand that yet”, but “the potential is there”!

It was always McGee’s intention to end Derry Girls after series 3. In a full statement released on Twitter in September 2021, she said: “Derry Girls is a coming of age story; following five ridiculous teenagers as they slowly... very slowly... start to become adults, while around them the place they call home starts to change too and Northern Ireland enters a new more hopeful phase – which was a small, magical window of time. Derry Girls is a love letter to the place I come from and the people who shaped me.

“Who knows if Erin, Clare, Orla, Michelle and James will return in some other guise someday, but for now this is it for us.”

As we grab our tissues and prepare to say goodbye to the gang, we thought we’d revisit ten of their Derry best lines. Feel free to keep these highly… um… inspirational words in your back pocket and use them as you see fit.

1. On offering support

2. On the Irish Potato Famine

3. On belonging

4. On finding your calling

5. On celeb culture

6. On staying humble

7. On age-appropriate language

8. On technicalities

9. On backing yourself

10. On looking on the bright side

When is Channel 4’s Derry Girls on TV?

Derry Girls airs on Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141) on Tuesdays at 9.15pm, with the first episode screening on 12 April. It is also available in Apps & Games > All 4. Find series 1 & 2 in Apps & Games > All 4.

The six-part series will subsequently air every week until Tuesday 17 May.