Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson is “not in touch” with co-star Nicola Coughlan following her meteoric rise to fame. Jackson, 30, captured the hearts of the nation as Erin Quinn, the lead role in the award-winning comedy.

Coughlan, 37, played Clare Devlin, one the hilarious group of five, also made up of Michelle, Orla, and James AKA “the wee English fella,” who were played by Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Louisa Harland, and Dylan Llewellyn.

The gang earned a name for themselves on both sides of the pond thanks to the hit show, and have went on to enjoy hugely successful careers, namely Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in the popular Netflix series.

Despite Jackson and Coughlan currently heading up two Netflix series, Bridgerton and The Decameron, Jackson had admitted she has yet to watch Coughlan in her latest feature, and hasn’t been able to check in with her recently.

“I think the both of us are so busy, so no, I haven’t been in touch,” Jackson told Vulture when asked if she has chatted with Coughlan. The talent revealed she’s watched Queen Charlotte and the first two seasons of Bridgerton but hasn’t been able to catch the recent season with her old castmate, promising “it’s definitely on the list.”

Saoirse-Monica Jackson attends the Vogue x Netflix BAFTA Television Awards in May 2024 (Image: 2024 Mike Marsland)
She went on: “I will tell you I’ve never met anybody who watches as much television as I do. I love nothing more than a Saturday where I just close the blinds and binge.”

Jackson seemed to signal a stronger friendship with Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, who she has confided in about turning 30. She explained: “I’ve heard it’s the best era. I see this with my mom and my aunties or even Jamie-Lee.

“They all give less of a **** than I do. I’m really looking forward to that happening, but I haven’t really had it kick in yet. When does that kick in, not giving a ****? When does that happen?”

Coughlan has become an A-lister since appearing in the period hit alongside film Seize Them! and Channel 4 comedy Big Mood. She is also the latest model for SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s clothing and shapewear line.

Nicole Coughlan attends the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 13, 2024 (Image: 2024 Karwai Tang)
Jackson is about to front her own Netflix comedy series, the period comedy The Decameron, which is set in the 1300s during the Black Death in Italy. The streaming platform is also home to Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, whose new series How To Get to Heaven From Belfast was picked up by the service from Channel 4 last year.

Filming is currently underway throughout Northern Ireland for an air date next year.