The final series of Derry Girls will end with a double-length episode set a year in the future

To exclude, to expel:

Channel 4’s Derry Girls will end with an hour-plus episode that takes the group to the polls following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement referendum

The third and final series of Derry Girls will conclude with a surprise double-length seventh episode set one year in the future, when the group of friends turns 18.

The show – Channel 4’s biggest comedy since Father Ted debuted in 1995 – is in the midst of its six seasons, which creator Lisa McGee has announced will be the last.

But after it ends next month, fans will get to see a more than hour-long episode that takes the group to the polling station for the 1998 Good Friday Agreement referendum.

And – following Liam Neeson’s appearance in the prologue as a disgruntled cop – other big-name stars have been lined up for the role of the big swan.

Lisa told the Mirror: “Like all the best bands of the ’90s, I couldn’t resist ending our farewell tour with an encore for our loyal fans. we.

“I’m excited to announce that we’ll be back with an extended special – airing the same week as our final episode.

“The special deals with the historic and important Good Friday Deal vote, coincide with the time when the gangs mature, they enter adulthood as Northern Ireland embarks on a new future .

“I am so proud of this show, of our incredible cast and crew, and all that we have achieved over the past five years. It’s been a journey.

“I’m grateful Channel 4 gave me the space to wrap up the stories of characters that mean so much to me with this special. I really hope the fans love it as much as I do.”

Lisa, who grew up in town and says she’s “always been a Derry girl”, added: “The people of Derry aren’t very good at saying goodbye so I’ll use one of the expressions instead. reach our native:“Now let’s go”. ”

In the episode, the girls – and James – are preparing for their final year of school. It was the week of the Good Friday Agreement referendum but they were furious about the timing as it risked overshadowing the standout event of the year – Erin’s joint 18th Birthday party and Orla.

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The series debuted in 2018 to widespread acclaim, starring Saoirse-Monica Jackso, Louise Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnel and Dylan Llewellyn as five teenagers living in the mid-1990s Derry at the end of Trouble.

The group attends College of the Immaculate Conception, a fictional Catholic high school for girls, run by Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney).

At the start of the third season, Neeson makes a surprise appearance as a cop trying to get to the bottom of a school robbery in which the girls were caught. The hour-long special will feature more guest stars, with one source promising: “It’s a corkscrew.”

The add-on looks set to air on Friday, May 20, a few days after the six-part third season ended on Tuesday, May 17.

The TV schedule will be confirmed next week.

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