Lisa McGee’s popular show Derry Girls, which first aired on Channel 4 and later came to Netflix, tells the story of Northern Irish teenagers Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla McCool (Louisa Harland), Claire Devlin (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle Malon (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), and their English friend James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn).
The show follows their teenage years in Derry during the time of the Troubles. In its final season, Derry Girls featured several notable guest stars, including Fatboy Slim, Conleth Hill from Game of Thrones, and Chelsea Clinton. But the biggest surprise came in the first episode of Season 3 when Liam Neeson appeared as a Royal Ulster Constabulary officer, leaving viewers shocked.
Neeson also appeared briefly in the final episode of Derry Girls, but this time his character took on a much more serious tone compared to the humorous interrogation scene in the episode “The Night Before.” In the finale, Neeson’s character was shown voting on the Good Friday Agreement. His emotional expression left viewers wondering about the importance of his return and what it meant for the story.
Who Does Liam Neeson Play in Derry Girls?
In the episode “The Night Before,” Neeson plays Chief Inspector Byers, a Royal Ulster Constabulary officer. He interrogates the group of girls after they accidentally break into their school while searching for their GSCE results.
According to The Guardian, Neeson was nervous about filming his scene, and his appearance was kept secret by referring to him on set as “the big fella.”
During the interrogation, Byers is worn down by Uncle Colm (played by Kevin McAleer), whose long, boring stories cause both him and his partner to grow frustrated. Eventually, they release the girls after realizing they aren’t responsible for the burglary.
Though the scene is funny, it takes a more serious turn when Erin accuses the officers of discriminating against them because they are Catholic.
Neeson’s character responds that this is a serious accusation. He also reveals that the RUC only has three Catholic officers, showing the discrimination in the police force at the time. This moment ties the scene to the larger context of the Troubles, which affected everyone in Northern Ireland, including these teenage girls.
Neeson’s Return in the Derry Girls Finale
In the last episode of Derry Girls, titled “The Agreement,” Neeson’s character returns during a crucial time in Northern Ireland’s history — the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement, introduced in 1998, aimed to end the violence of the Troubles.
It focused on police reform, the disbanding of paramilitary groups, and the return of self-government to Northern Ireland. As the characters in Derry Girls debate the moral implications of the agreement, they are shown casting their votes in a public referendum.
One of the most memorable moments in the finale is when Neeson’s character, Chief Inspector Byers, is seen voting.
The scene is set to the song “Dreams” by The Cranberries and is intertwined with footage of historical moments, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s apology for the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972, where 26 unarmed Catholic protestors were killed by British soldiers.
Byers is shown removing his RUC officer’s hat before he votes, a subtle but powerful gesture that carries deep significance.
Why Does Neeson’s Character Remove His Hat?
To understand the importance of this moment, it’s essential to know about the Troubles, a conflict that began in the late 1960s and ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
It was a violent conflict between unionists, mostly Protestants who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK, and nationalists, mostly Catholics who wanted to join the Republic of Ireland.
Over 3,800 people died during the Troubles, and Catholics faced significant discrimination, especially from the RUC, which was often accused of siding with unionist paramilitary groups against Catholics.
Neeson’s character appears conflicted as he votes. Part of this inner struggle could stem from the fact that, during the Troubles, around 300-400 RUC officers were killed.
The Good Friday Agreement allowed for the release of some prisoners responsible for these deaths, which might have been weighing on Chief Inspector Byers’ mind. By removing his hat, he could be acknowledging the many lives lost and choosing to vote not as an RUC officer, but as a person affected by the violence of the Troubles.
The removal of his hat could also symbolize the burden of his role in the RUC. Neeson’s character might have been voting with the weight of the institution on his shoulders. By taking off the hat, he may have been freeing himself from that responsibility to vote based on his conscience.
Neeson’s Connection to His Role
Though Neeson plays a Protestant RUC officer in Derry Girls, he is a Catholic who grew up in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, during the Troubles. He has spoken openly about Ireland’s unification and has praised the Good Friday Agreement.
Neeson’s role in the show likely held deep personal significance for him, and his emotional performance in the final scene may reflect his feelings about the conflict and the peace process.
Derry Girls has been praised for its authentic portrayal of mid-1990s Northern Ireland, and Neeson’s silent but impactful performance in the finale served to highlight the lasting effects of the Good Friday Agreement.
Liam Neeson plays a Royal Ulster Constabulary officer in Derry Girls, first appearing in a humorous scene and returning for a serious moment in the finale. His character’s emotional vote on the Good Friday Agreement reflects the internal conflict tied to Northern Ireland’s Troubles, a theme deeply personal to Neeson himself.
Derry Girls is currently available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
