In Retrospect: Liam Neeson's impact as 'The Big Fella' on the final season of 'Derry Girls'

"What an honour to have him in our wee show. Our very own Northern Star," reminisces Derry Girls' creator Lisa McGee on the unexpected appearance of Liam Neeson in the hit comedy series. It has been over a year since the Oscar-nominated actor stunned audiences with his surprise cameo, a move that marked the triumphant return of the beloved sitcom.

An Unexpected Northern Star in Derry Girls

In a nostalgic look back at the third and final season of the hit Channel 4 sitcom, fans may recall the distinct presence of the Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson. Neeson, playing a police inspector in the episode, provided an exciting twist, investigating a burglary at the school of the show's central characters.

The secret identity of Neeson on set was humorously dubbed “the big fella”, a code name that McGee playfully admitted could be "easily cracked". Yet, it was the inclusion of Neeson, a notable "Northern Star", that truly captured fans' attention and garnered praise for the sitcom's final season.

Derry Girls: A Final Hurrah

Derry Girls, a unique portrayal of life in Derry during the 1990s, returned with a bang for its final season in April 2022. The show's surprise guest star, Liam Neeson, added charm to the show’s farewell season, much to the delight of viewers and McGee alike.

A memorable event for the show was its mention in an episode of The Simpsons. Reflecting on this, McGee shared, “I was a big Simpsons fan in the 90s, so it blew my mind; I can’t believe that happened,” as reported by PA Media. “That and the mural [in Derry] were my two moments.”

A Catalyst for Comedic Voices

As the sitcom drew to a close, McGee expressed her gratitude towards Channel 4 for its support, acknowledging that she “probably would not exist” as a comedy writer without it. The writer, known for her dramatic and comedic flair, credited the network for investing in her unique voice. However, this applause came at a time when the government was deliberating on privatizing the publicly owned broadcaster.

Looking back, the final season of Derry Girls was made even more memorable with the surprise cameo of "the big fella" himself, Liam Neeson. His participation not only added a dash of surprise but also a note of prestige, forever engraving his role as a Northern Star in the sitcom's legacy.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.