Derry Girls writer-creator Lisa McGee has defended a joke in the first episode of the current third and final series about the under-representation of Catholics in the RUC.
And the Derry native admits being “nervous” about including jokes regarding The Troubles but believes humour is a way of dealing with some matters.
The joke comes when the girls are arrested on suspicion of the theft of computer equipment from the fictional Our Lady Immaculate College.
The gang are taken to the local RUC station by armed officers to be questioned by an inspector played by A-list Hollywood star, Ballymena native Liam Neeson.
Quizzed about how many Catholics are in the force, Neeson admits there are just three, if he includes “the Jew”.
After accusing Neeson’s officers of trying to “stitch us up” because they’re “Fenian” Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) asks: “Are you denying your organisation is prejudiced?”
Lisa told the BBC, “[The girls] would be extremely nervous. It’s also a way of commenting on something that wasn’t very fair.
“In a funny way that allows people then to discuss things.
“It just feels less scary when you put it through a funny lens. Because we’re still sort of wrangling with our past. So it opens things out a wee bit.
“That’s a joke I was nervous about. There’s some jokes where I’m like ‘Oh, here we go’.
“My priority with Derry Girls has been bringing people joy, making people laugh, bringing some lightness. So I never want to offend. And luckily we’ve kind of always got away with it.”
Lisa also confessed she finds Tourism Ireland’s sponsorship of the new series “hilarious.” Derry Girls airs Tuesdays at 9.15pm on Channel 4.
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