ROAD TRIP
Louisa Harland: from Derry Girl to highwaywoman
Nicola Coughlan’s not the only Derry Girl branching out — this week, her Dublin-born co-star Louisa Harland, who played quirky Orla, takes her first lead TV role in Renegade Nell, a new series from Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright about a super-powered 18th-century highwaywoman.
This is a long way from Happy Valley, but were you a fan of Sally Wainwright’s writing?
Yes, I was — who isn’t? Nell is different to Sally’s other characters, and there are magical elements, but it’s still quintessentially Sally. She writes real people so well — flawed, funny and raw characters you can relate to.
How would you describe Nell?
Nell is the most feared highwaywoman in the country, but doesn’t know her true destiny until she meets a magical spirit. She goes looking for trouble because she wants more from her life. Her story’s quite genderless — Sally was determined that she’s not romantically driven, and she dresses androgynously.
There’s a lot of action in this. How many of the stunts did you do?
I can’t even ride a bike, but for this I had to learn to ride a horse! I did a lot of stunts, but whenever you see me doing something incredibly cool, like falling off a carriage without blinking, that was my stunt double Mélissa Humler. She is an unbelievable woman.
How did you get on with Nell’s English accent?
My partner’s from the East End; he and I spent lockdown in Limehouse, having pie and mash at 9am on a Sunday. For two years I was preparing for a role that I didn’t know existed! Thankfully, his family gave my accent the seal of approval.
Do you still pinch yourself at the huge international impact of Derry Girls?
I’m so pleased it travelled so far; there ar
