Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson has admitted she’s “frustrated” by Brexit and said she is worried about “violence” returning to the North.
The actress, who plays the role of Erin Quinn in the hit Channel 4 show, revealed that growing up during The Troubles “shapes you” as a person.
As Theresa May gives MPs “one last chance” to deliver Brexit, the 25-year-old said she worries about the impact it may have up the North in terms of reigniting conflict.
She said: “I think I feel like the rest of the country. I feel frustrated and I think that the Good Friday Agreement is something that should never be disregarded and it should be acknowledged.”
The Derry native added: “The fact that we’re debating on this, that it’s something that’s up for changing.. it’s not something to be played with or altered in any way.
"But I have faith in where I’m from, nobody wants to go back to a place like that, to violence, and I think Derry Girls has ironically merged with the whole situation at the moment, to remind people that we don’t want to go back to that time.”
Saoirse-Monica, who now lives in London, now has her sights set on cracking the States after landing her first Hollywood role in a rom-com.
“It’s going to be shot in Dublin this summer so it’ll be nice to spend two months in Dublin working.
“It’s called There You’ll Find Me, based on Jenny B. Jones book and my character is quite an interesting one. She’s lovely, a much nicer person than my Erin in Derry Girls. It’ll be nice to do. I would love to do some drama after that.”
The actress said she’s looking forward to seeing what’s in store for her character on the show which is written by Lisa McGee,” she told Stellar.
“I’m sure Erin will always stay the same, and it is a coming of age story and I think that’s important.
“For the first time in a while we’ve seen a teenage girl that’s not sexualised. Her priority isn’t actually boys. Her main priority is herself, because she’s a selfish teenager.
“She’s ambitious and I’m sure we’ll see that again. I would hope with Erin that she gets further with the writing. I’d love to see her accomplish something.
“Those are my favourite moments for Erin. Particularly that scene where she things she’s written some amazing poems.”
