The Bafta TV awards ceremony in London was a night where Irish talent shone. Siobhán McSweeney, Lisa McGee, Anne-Marie Duff, and Sharon Horgan all took home awards for their categories, recognized for their outstanding work in Derry Girls and Bad Sisters, respectively.
Siobhán McSweeney, who portrayed the eye-rolling principal Sister Michael in the Channel 4 series Derry Girls, took home the best female performance in a comedy program award. She started her speech with a humorous tone and thanked the people of Derry for taking her into their hearts and living rooms. McSweeney’s mother had given her an odd last request, in which she said to consider retraining as a teacher. Hence, McSweeney joked that getting a Bafta for playing a teacher was a way to make her mother’s dying wish come true.
Set during the Troubles, Derry Girls received critical acclaim for presenting a new perspective on the IRA and loyalist ceasefires through the eyes of a group of young girls. McGee, the show’s writer, also received an award for Best Scripted Comedy. She thanked Channel 4 and the people of Derry, proclaiming that it was where the series called home.
Anne-Marie Duff delivered a stand-out performance in Bad Sisters, written by Sharon Horgan. The series depicts five siblings’ attempts to murder one of their monstrous husbands. During her speech, Duff emphasized that television is a “political arena,” speaking out against bullying and telling people that they are enough and that they matter.
Horgan also picked up a second Bafta award for Best Drama Series with Bad Sisters. During her acceptance speech, Horgan voiced her solidarity with the US writers’ strike and praised the “brilliant” cast of the show. She thanked the writers, emphasizing that they are the backbone of everything in television.
Irish talent played a significant part in this year’s Bafta TV awards ceremony, showcasing the world-class quality of Irish actors, writers, and producers. The success of Derry Girls and Bad Sisters highlights the importance of showcasing fresh and diverse perspectives, particularly during the current era of political and economic turmoil globally.
It’s worth noting that the talent of these Irish artists is not restricted to their own country but has received recognition worldwide, with Derry Girls being streamed on Netflix and Bad Sisters broadcasting on HBO. Receiving accolades for their incredibly high-quality work on internationally renowned platforms proves the ever-growing significance of Irish talent to their audiences globally.
The success of Irish shows like Derry Girls and Bad Sisters has opened up new opportunities and avenues in the global marketplace, with greater recognition and interest in Irish dramas and comedies. As such, this has undoubtedly raised the bar for Ireland’s television production industry, helping to drive and reinforce its position as one at the forefront of groundbreaking and innovative television and drama on a global scale.
Overall, Bafta TV awards 2023 bestowed much-deserved recognition to some of the most excellent talents in the field, not just of Irish artists but from across the globe. The event underlined the importance of authentic storytelling, highlighting the importance of fresh perspectives and new voices in the world of television drama.
