What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDerry Girls
Lisa McGee · Series · 2018
If you loved Derry Girls, start with The Girls Groupchat Podcast (The Girls Groupchat Podcast) — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Derry Girls across media.
What hooked you in Derry Girls is the way it balances chaotic adolescent friendship against the backdrop of larger political uncertainty.
Books on the same thread
Dubliners
James Joyce · Book · 1992
Explores: Paralysis, Epiphany, Irish Identity.
Like Derry Girls, this collection captures the specific texture of Irish identity and urban life, grounding universal human experiences within a deeply localized and atmospheric cultural setting.
Top Girls
Caryl Churchill · Book · 2018
Explores: Feminism, Ambition, Class Conflict.
This play mirrors the sharp wit and political consciousness found in Derry Girls, exploring the complex tension between personal female ambition and the constraints of a rigid social environment.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Shares a thread with Derry Girls: Female friendship.
Fans of Derry Girls will recognize the raw, cynical intensity of female friendship and the awkward transition into adulthood that defines the bond between these two teenage protagonists.
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
Roddy Doyle · Book · 1995
Explores: Loss of innocence, Dysfunctional family dynamics, Childhood friendship.
This novel echoes the nostalgic yet turbulent spirit of Derry Girls, focusing on a young person trying to navigate the complexities of family and identity during a transformative era.
Films on the same thread
Little Women
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2019
Explores: Sisterhood, Female ambition, Artistic expression.
Much like the core group in Derry Girls, these sisters navigate the trials of coming of age and female solidarity while surrounded by the aftermath of significant historical conflict.
Heathers
Michael Lehmann · Film · 1989
Explores: High School Politics, Social Commentary, Teen Angst.
If the dark humor and high school politics of Derry Girls kept you watching, you will appreciate this biting satire that exposes the absurdity of teenage social hierarchies.
Mean Girls
Mark Waters · Film · 2004
Shares a thread with Derry Girls: Coming-of-Age Comedy.
This film captures the same frantic energy and competitive social dynamics seen in Derry Girls, focusing on the hilarious and often brutal nature of high school cliques.
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2017
Explores: Mother-Daughter Relationship, Teenage Rebellion, Self-Discovery.
The complicated mother-daughter dynamics and rebellious search for self-discovery in this story mirror the emotional heart of Derry Girls, balancing humor with honest, messy moments of growing up.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Girls Groupchat Podcast
The Girls Groupchat Podcast · Podcast
Shares a thread with Derry Girls: female friendship.
This podcast channels the rapid-fire, relatable banter and supportive female friendship that made the characters of Derry Girls feel like such a genuine and chaotic friend group.
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
Podcast
Explores: current events, politics, news satire.
Those who enjoyed the sharp, irreverent political satire embedded in Derry Girls will find the same biting commentary and quick-witted humor within these weekly radio comedy sketches.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Derry Girls based on a true story?
Derry Girls is a fictional television series created by Lisa McGee. While the show is set against the backdrop of the real political conflict in Northern Ireland during the 1990s, the story follows five secondary school students as they navigate their teenage years within that specific historical environment.
What is the premise of Derry Girls?
The premise of Derry Girls centers on five secondary school students living in Northern Ireland during the 1990s. The show explores how these teenagers face universal adolescent challenges while simultaneously navigating the realities of the political conflict occurring in their region at that time.
How long has Derry Girls been running?
Derry Girls premiered in 2018. The series was created by Lisa McGee and focuses on the lives of five secondary school students growing up in Northern Ireland during the 1990s, blending the political tension of that era with the common experiences of being a teenager.
Is Derry Girls set during a specific time period?
Yes, Derry Girls is set in the 1990s. The show highlights the experiences of five secondary school students who are coming of age during a time of significant political conflict in Northern Ireland, balancing their personal teenage struggles with the unique atmosphere of that decade.