Australians have been patient and are finally being rewarded with the third season of Lisa McGee's beloved Derry Girls.
The comedy series, which is based on a group of friends living through the Troubles in Northern Ireland, was released in the UK back in April — which means Aussies have spent six long months dodging spoilers on social media.
But the wait is almost over! Here's what you can expect from season three as well as a recap of season two:
Where can I watch season three of Derry Girls in Australia?
All seven episodes of Derry Girls season three will drop on Netflix today (October 7).
Seasons one and two are also available to stream right now on Netflix.
What's Derry Girls about?
You're no eejit if you've missed out on our Derry mates before now.
Basically, the show revolves around a group of high school friends who live in Derry, Northern Ireland.
There's Erin, her eccentric cousin Orla, perpetually nervous Clare, devil-may-care Michelle and Michelle's regrettably English cousin James.
Revolving around our core five are Erin's parents Gerry and Mary, her aunt (and Orla's mum) Sarah and the hilariously despondent headmistress of Our Lady Immaculate College, Sister George Michael.
The series is set in the '90s, which not only allows for some absolutely delicious costuming but also sets the otherwise light-hearted high school capers of the group against the backdrop of real-life war in the region.
Often referred to as The Troubles, for the back half of the 20th century Northern Ireland was plagued by violence between those who wanted the region to remain part of the UK and nationalists who wanted Northern Ireland to join a united Ireland.
Derry was a border town and thus experienced a lot of fallout from the unrest.
Derry Girls has mentioned several real-life events within its fictional narrative including the IRA ceasefire announcement in 1994 and then-US President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton's visit to Northern Ireland in 1995.
Here's a recap of what happened in season two
Obviously spoilers to follow.
Season two saw our gang get into all sorts of hijinks. Ayyye, great craic that was!
They tried to bridge the gap between Catholics and Protestants by attending a Friends Across the Barricade camp but were more interested in drinking with the Protestant boys.
They were inspired and then dashed by a new English teacher. They somehow managed to make it to the Take That concert in Belfast despite reports of an escaped polar bear.
Michelle almost upturned Erin's Great-Aunt Bridie's wake when her "funny" (read: drug-filled) scones are inadvertently served to mourners.
But it was the last two episodes of the season that provided the most movement for characters with a particular highlight on James, the English transplant who is often the group's punching bag.
In the penultimate episode, Erin is ecstatic after the beautiful-but-clueless John Paul agrees to take her to the school "prom". But as she sits in her kitchen, dressed to the nines with her Ma watching the clock tick by, it hits her that she's been cruelly stood up.
It's an absolutely heartbreaking scene to watch.
But! A knock at the door reveals James, who has ditched a Doctor Who convention to take Erin to the dance himself, transforming from dorky misfit to white knight and opening a door for a possible romance with Erin.
The final episode of season two is set along the backdrop of former President Clinton's visit to Derry following the Troubles' ceasefire.
James' estranged mum shows up to whisk him back to England and despite their frequent insults directed at him, the girls are aghast at James' possible departure.
Following an uncharacteristically sweet speech from his cousin, Michelle, James declares that he IS a Derry Girl and remains with his friends in Northern Ireland.
What's in store for season three?
It's the last year of high school for our Derry Girls in season three with everyone nervously awaiting their GCSE results.
Trailers reveal the group gets accidentally caught up with a bunch of robbers looting their school, which provides Clare with lots of opportunity to let out some trademark wailing.
Fatboy Slim is in town for a special Halloween gig that the group are desperate to go to much to the parents' dismay.
And speaking of parents, sisters Mary and Sarah get their own flashback episode that has fans in the UK clamouring for their own spin off.
Season three also promises a couple of high-profile cameos, including one from Northern Irish native Liam Neeson.
Oh, and without spoiling anything, the Erin-James romance gets some expansion…
It all rounds out with a 45-minute long special that takes place in 1998 as Northern Ireland prepares to vote on the Good Friday Agreement.
Of course, Erin and Orla are more concerned with how many people turn up for their 18th birthday party!
By all accounts season three is a fitting departure for a series that is being hailed as a modern comedy classic.
It is currently boasting 100 per cent on review Rotten Tomatoes and landed a five-star review in The Guardian with writer Rebecca Nicholson saying: "It is a rare comedy that bows out on a high like this, but Derry Girls has been bold in its victory lap".
Did Nicola Coughlan leave Derry Girls?
No, but her part was cut a lot in season three.
Nicola's always-in-a-tizzy Clare became a fan favourite over two seasons for her antics and for her decision to come out as a lesbian in an environment where LGBTQIA+ people were not always accepted.
Unfortunately, Nicola is also beholden to another Netflix juggernaut – Bridgerton.
Nicola's Bridgerton character Lady Featherington has a major storyline in season three of the romantic period drama. This combined with Derry Girls being forced to shift their season three filming due to the COVID-19 pandemic means that Clare's storyline was cut dramatically.
But never fear, Clare fans! She does appear in the third season…just not as much.
Is season three the last season of Derry Girls?
We wish it were not true but season three is where we leave our Derry girls (and boy), a move confirmed by creator McGee earlier in the year.
McGee has expressed some interest in returning to Derry in the form of a movie, however nothing official has been confirmed.
