Louisa Harland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louisa Harland
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Harland in 2021
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| Born |
Louisa Clare Harland
1993/1994 (age 31–32) Dublin, Ireland
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| Alma mater | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
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Notable work
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Derry Girls |
Louisa Clare Harland (born 1993/1994) is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles as Orla McCool in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (2018–2022) and the titular character of the Disney+ series Renegade Nell (2024).
Contents
Early life
Brought up in Dundrum, South Dublin, Harland has two older sisters, Katie and Ellie. She was part of the Ann Kavanagh Youth Theatre in Rathfarnham. She trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Career
Television and film
Upon graduation, Harland landed a recurring role as Kayleigh in season two of the RTÉ One series Love/Hate in 2011. She later appeared in films Rob Burke's Standby (2014) and Woody Harrelson's Lost in London (2017).
In 2017, it was announced Harland had been cast as Orla McCool, the eccentric cousin of Erin Quinn (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls. The first series aired in January 2018, receiving critical and commercial acclaim, and the second in March 2019. A final third series, as well as a special, aired in 2022.
On 26 June 2020, Harland and her fellow Derry Girls costars performed a sketch with Saoirse Ronan for the RTÉ fundraising special RTÉ Does Comic Relief, with proceeds from the night going towards those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That same year, Harland appeared in the film Boys from County Hell.
Harland plays the lead role of Nell Jackson in the 2024 Disney+ series Renegade Nell.
Radio
In March 2021, Harland performed with Sam Otto in an adaptation of the play Endless Second, by Theo Toksvig-Stewart, for BBC Radio 4. That May, she performed in an adaptation of the debut novel Snowflake, by Louise Nealon, for BBC Radio 4.
Personal life
Harland lives in Ladbroke Grove, London. As of 2023, she is in a relationship with English actor Calvin Demba.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Standby | Julie | ||
| 2017 | Lost in London | Stella | ||
| 2018 | Sunday Tide | Violet | Short film | |
| 2020 | Boys from County Hell | Claire McCann | ||
| 2022 | BabyDolls | Barbara | Short film | |
| 2024 | Joy | Rachel |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Love/Hate | Kayleigh | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Doctors | Caz Ellison | Episode: "Peanut" |
| Harley and the Davidsons | Secretary | Mini-series | |
| 2018 | Finding Joy | Tara | Episode: "Letting Go" |
| 2018–2022 | Derry Girls | Orla McCool | Main role |
| 2019 | Handy | Finnoula | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2020 | The Deceived | Cloda O'Donnell | 4 episodes |
| 2023 | Big Boys | Midwife Kerry McFall | Episode: "The Night When" |
| 2024 | Renegade Nell | Nell Jackson | Lead role |
Audio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Whistle Through The Shamrocks | Mammy | Podcast |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Cotton Fingers | Aoife | Aberaeron Memorial Hall, Aberaeron |
| 2019 | Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. | Niamh | Royal Court Theatre, London |
| 2023 | Dancing at Lughnasa | Agnes | Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London |
| Ulster American | Ruth Davenport | Riverside Studios, London | |
| 2024 | Long Day's Journey Into Night | Cathleen | Wyndham's Theatre, London |
