Our very own Derry girl has won the Outstanding Comedy Actress Award at the UK National Comedy Awards.
Saoirse Monica Jackson was thrilled to be named the Best Comedy Actress by public vote at the UK National Comedy Awards ceremony for the Stand Up To Cancer charity.
Jackson played the iconic role of Erin Quinn in our favourite Irish series of all time, Derry Girls. The win is an exciting achievement for not only Saoirse but any Derry Girls fan in general and, indeed, Ireland.
Saoirse was one of the top winners of the night – she was up there with some notable stars
Being named Best Comedy Actress is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Other main winners included Ricky Gervais and Joe Lycett, two outstanding talents in the business.
Speaking via a video message at the awards ceremony, Saoirse Monica stated how overjoyed she was to receive such an award, saying thank you so much.
“Playing Erin Quinn honestly has meant the absolute world to me. I love Derry Girls so, so much”.
As die-hard fans of Derry Girls ourselves, we can only reflect Saoirse’s positively buzzing speech.
Also shortlisted for the award was Daisy May Cooper (Am I Being Unreasonable?), Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Rose Matafeo (Starstruck), and Charlotte Richie (Ghosts).
Showing gratitude for her whole team – the humble actor acknowledged that she would not be where she is without her amazing crew
She continued to thank everyone who helped her along the way in the production. She said, “I’d like to say a huge thank you to our writer Lisa McGee”.
Saoirse also thanked Derry Girls producers and director Mike Lennox, Hat Trick Productions, and Channel 4, and “our amazing cast and crew”.
The actress showed her gratitude for everyone who played a role in her receiving the award, adding, “Most of all, thanks to everybody that voted for me, especially my partner and my parents who I know did an astronomical campaign online to get the votes in.
“Thank you so much”.
The National Comedy Awards – an annual ceremony to raise much-needed charity funds
Originally known as the British Comedy Awards, this awards ceremony has celebrated comedy talent since its founding in 1990. To date, over £93 million has been raised for Stand Up To Cancer, helping to fund 64 clinical trials.
In this year’s awards ceremony, Derry Girls were nominated for several awards, with the series up for the Best Scripted Comedy Series, losing to After Life by Ricky Gervais.
Saoirse’s co-star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell was also up for the Outstanding Supporting Role award for her flawless performance as Michelle Mallon.
Unfortunately, Jamie-Lee lost out to Diane Morgan for her supporting role in After Life, but to even be nominated is a victory. We are so proud of our Derry Girls, to who we would have happily given all the prizes.
