Louisa Harland
Irish actress (born 1993 or 1994)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louisa Clare Harland[1] (born 1993 or 1994)[2] is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles as Orla McCool in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls (2018–2022), as Nell Jackson in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell (2024) and as Anna Welch in the RTÉ series The Walsh Sisters (2025).
1993 or 1994 (age 32–33)
Louisa Harland | |
|---|---|
Harland in 2021 | |
| Born | Louisa Clare Harland 1993 or 1994 (age 32–33) Dublin, Ireland |
| Alma mater | Wesley College Dublin Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Notable work | Derry Girls |
Early life
Brought up in Dundrum, Dublin, Harland has two older sisters, Katie and Ellie. She was part of the Ann Kavanagh Youth Theatre in Rathfarnham.[3] She trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.[4]
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.[5] She later appeared in films Rob Burke's Standby (2014) and Woody Harrelson's Lost in London (2017).[6]
In 2017,[7] 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.[8][9][10] A final third series, as well as a special, aired in 2022.[11][12][13]
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.[14] That same year, Harland appeared in the film Boys from County Hell.[15]
Harland plays the lead role of Nell Jackson in the 2024 Disney+ series Renegade Nell.[16]
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.[17] That May, she performed in an adaptation of the debut novel Snowflake, by Louise Nealon, for BBC Radio 4.[18]
Personal life
Harland lives in Ladbroke Grove, London.[19] As of 2023, she is in a relationship with English actor Calvin Demba.[20]
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 films |
| Noah | Kerry | ||
| 2024 | Joy | Rachel | |
| 2025 | Odd Socks | McBride (voice) | Short film |
| Hamnet | Rowan | ||
| 2026 | A Woman's Work | Jolene Harper | |
| TBA | The Animals † | Ramona | Short film. Post-production |
| The Custom of the Country † | TBA | Filming |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Love/Hate | Kayleigh | Series 2; 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Doctors | Caz Ellison | Episode: "Peanut" |
| Harley and the Davidsons | Secretary | Mini-series; episode: "Race to the Top" | |
| 2018 | Finding Joy | Tara | Episode: "Letting Go" |
| 2018–2022 | Derry Girls | Orla McCool | Main role. Series 1–3; 19 episodes |
| 2019 | Handy | Finnoula | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2020 | The Deceived | Cloda O'Donnell | Mini-series; 3 episodes |
| 2023 | Big Boys | Midwife Kerry McFall | Episode: "The Night When" |
| 2024 | Renegade Nell | Nell Jackson | Lead role. 8 episodes |
| 2025 | The Walsh Sisters | Anna Walsh | Lead role. 6 episodes[21] |
Audio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Whistle Through the Shamrocks | Mammy | Podcast; 6 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Cotton Fingers | Aoife | Aberaeron Memorial Hall, Aberaeron[22] |
| 2019 | Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. | Niamh | Royal Court Theatre, London[23] |
| 2023 | Dancing at Lughnasa | Agnes | Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London[24] |
| Ulster American | Ruth Davenport | Riverside Studios, London[25] | |
| 2024 | Long Day's Journey Into Night | Cathleen | Wyndham's Theatre, London[26] |
