Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell says playing a hyper teenager in the hit show can be 'exhausting’.
The 30-year-old actor, best known for starring as bold as brass Michelle Mallon in the hit sitcom, revealed that she turned to meditation to unwind after intense filming days playing the mouthy teen.
The Derry native, who also recently starred in Channel 4’s drama Screw, said: “It can be quite hard, whenever you’re doing those roles, when you’re really in the character and the script and you want to stay in that vibe to give a really good performance and stay in that energy.
“It can be slightly hard to switch it off and shake it off.”
“It’s even hard when it’s really positive,” she added.
“Playing Michelle can be a bit exhausting, because it’s this intense, teenage hyperness that you’re bouncing about all day.
“Because it’s a comedy and it’s so hyper, between scenes I try and keep myself at a 10. At the end of the day, you’re still buzzing but you’re physically tired.
“That kind of hyper, positive, delighted-about-life energy can be really exhausting as well.”
With a burning passion and drive to continue her path of success, the actress admits she finds it hard to slow down.
However, she says she is starting to learn the importance of rest, and unwinding from those intense filming periods to avoid burnout.
“I’ve gotten back into meditation recently,” she told the Irish Independent.
“I like to exercise, going to the gym.
“Reading a book. Anything quiet, I like. Just being outdoors as much as possible, going to the beach and stuff.
“Hanging out with my friends, going for coffees and chit chat is really lovely.”
It comes after the star went viral after a clash with Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show last week, where she hit out at the presenter for asking her to disclose her age on air.
Whilst appearing on the show to promote the third and final season of the coming of age show, she jokingly answered his initial question by claiming to be 117, before insisting that it had 'misogynistic undertones'.
Ryan said: "Can I ask you how old you are?"
Jamie-Lee quickly replied: "I'm 117. I’m very, very wise."
When the RTE host continued to pursue an answer, Jamie Lee quipped, "This is the thing about it that gets on my nerves a wee bit, no disrespect . . . it's quite misogynistic even if it's unintentionally because men don't get the same scrutiny in their career."
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