We're buzzing after the creator of C4’s hit comedy Derry Girls revealed that her next project will be a Donegal/UK drama.
Derry-born stage and screen writer Lisa McGee says she is currently co-writing a thriller titled ‘The Deceived‘ with her husband, actor Tobias Beer, which will be set between Donegal and Cambridge.
Lisa told The Irish Times this week that the six-part series will be centred on a new marriage “where the partner’s not who you thought they were.”
The drama is currently in development with New Pictures, the production company behind Indian Summers and The Missing.
Lisa McGee
Lisa is an acclaimed writer who lists Indian Summers, London Irish, Being Human and RTE’s Raw among shows in her portfolio.
She has received much praise and recognition for her witty script in Derry Girls, which has contained a few stand-out Donegal references in the first three episodes.
Kamal from Ballybofey and Daniel O’Donnell have had notable mentions in the show, while some of the cast members have close links to the county. Lead actress Saoirse Monica Jackson spent time growing up in Buncrana and Greencastle, where her parents once ran The Castle Inn.
Derry Girls. Image: Channel 4
Plus, Inishowen Drama Teacher Greta McTague taught Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin) and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Michelle) during their time at St Cecilia’s College, Derry. Greta shared an insight into the actress’ career beginnings with Donegal Woman last week: www.donegalwoman.ie/2018/01/18/donegal-teachers-pride-derry-girls-shine/
Lisa has spoken about her love of Donegal in recent weeks during promos for Derry Girls. She has spent the past decade living in London with her husband and their 22-month-old son Joseph, but she eventually plans to return to the northwest, and perhaps Donegal, in the future.
“I have this fantasy about living on a beach in Donegal, like lots of writers,” Lisa told Ray D’Arcy this month.
There will be much work to be done before that though, as Channel 4 commissioned Derry Girls for a second series after it brought in over 2.5 million viewers in its first week.
Lisa said she can’t wait to start writing more hilarious antics for the schoolgirls: “Derry Girls is such a special project for me and it means so much that the audience have taken to Erin and the gang so warmly. I can’t wait to start writing series 2.”
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