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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

Liam Neeson makes Derry Girls surprise appearance in new series

The Derry Girls are back and, unsurprisingly, with a bang.

The first episode of the final series of the Channel 4 hit comedy aired on Tuesday night with the mother of all guest stars.

Episode one welcomed back all our favourite characters with their usual hilarity, already setting series three up as one we will never forget - but one thing we could have never seen coming was who was cast as a police constable.

Read more: Derry Girls creator said she wants to "keep surprising" fans going into series 3

The whole country was in shock when out of the darkness in the 'Londonderry RUC station' appeared Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson who was tasked to question the girls (and James) who were caught breaking into the school.

Eventually worn down by Uncle Colm's never-ending drone as the gang tactically call him in as their 'responsible adult', the Ballymena man's appearance on the show just proves the impact Derry Girls has had since it aired in 2018.

Speaking at a Q&A after the premiere of series three in Derry last week, writer and creator Lisa McGee and director Michael Lennox shared their experience of working with the 'Taken' star.

Michael Lennox said that they had a phone call with Neeson the night before they were to shoot the episode and he was taken aback by "the voice" on the other end of the phone.

Lisa McGee said they had been using nicknames to disguise the indemnity of their mystery guest star to ensure that it would be a major surprise for the audience when the first episode aired and would be glad when she would be able to speak about it.

She joked about the experience being "really, really scary" and hiding from Liam Neeson on set until she said, "he called for me".

Both Lisa and Michael said that the guest appearance came about because Neeson was actually "a fan of the show" and having performed on stage at the Guildhall before, he has his own ties to the city.

Michael told the Q&A audience that Neeson had actually told them it was acclaimed actress Dame Helen Mirren that had actually introduced him to the world of Derry Girls.

Derry Girls continues on Channel 4 on April 19 at 9.15pm

Read more: Lisa McGee stunned as The Simpsons pays tribute with Derry Girls reference

Read more: Watch: Derry Girls say goodbye to show that 'changed their lives'

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