'Masterful' period drama based on real life is 'best historical series' and free to stream

A quirky period drama released in 2018 continues to receive praise from viewers, and it is available to watch free of charge on one streaming platform. HistoryFacts.com highlighted the series in its ranking of the best historical dramas that history buffs will love.

Derry Girls is a period teen sitcom set in Northern Ireland. It was created and written by Lisa McGee and premiered in January 2018 on Channel 4. The programme was inspired by McGee's own experiences growing up in an Irish Catholic family in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the 1990s, during the final years of the Troubles. Derry Girls went on to run for three series, being the channel's most successful comedy since Father Ted.

It stars Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn. Throughout the series, archival footage relating to key political figures such as Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, John Hume and Mo Mowlam is shown. The soundtrack features popular music of the era, by acts including The Undertones, Ace of Base, Blur, Cypress Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, Enya, the Corrs, Boyzone, Scarlet, Fatboy Slim, PJ & Duncan, and the Cranberries.

The first series became the most-watched series in Northern Ireland since modern records began in 2002. Derry Girls has inspired a mural of its main characters painted on the side of Badgers Bar in Northern Ireland and has become a popular tourist attraction.

The series' synopsis reads: "Derry Girls follows Erin Quinn (Jackson), her cousin Orla (Harland), their friends Clare (Coughlan), Michelle (O'Donnell), and Michelle's English cousin James (Llewellyn) as they navigate their teenage years during the end of the Troubles in Derry, where they all attend a Catholic girls' secondary school. The friends frequently find themselves in absurd situations amid the political unrest and cultural divides of the times."

The series has received a cool 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus reading: "A perfectly curated cast and raw writing drive Derry Girls's dark humour as creator Lisa McGee makes frenetic light of teen life in 1990s Northern Ireland."

One audience reviewer said: "As a teenager of the troubles in the north of Ireland in mid 90s, Lisa Magee masterfully creates a rich tapestry combining the unique social and cultural essence of this era. From the outfits, to the music, the dialogue, the accents, the scenes, the scenarios and the characters, this is on point."

A second wrote: "Absolutely incredible. I've just discovered it, but it definitely deserves more recognition."

"Brilliant! Such a great mix of characters giving their own personality to the comedy that runs from start to finish. Absolutely loved it," a third added.

Derry Girls is available to stream on Channel 4.