| Louisa Harland | |
| Birth Name: | Louisa Clare Harland[1] |
| Birth Place: | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Notable Works: | Derry Girls |
| Years Active: | 2011–present |
| Alma Mater: | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
Louisa Clare Harland (born)[2] 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).
Brought up in Dundrum, South Dublin,[1] 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]
Upon graduation, Harland landed a recurring role as Kayleigh in 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]
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]
Harland lives in Ladbroke Grove, London.[19] She is in a relationship with English actor Calvin Demba.[20]
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Cotton Fingers | Aoife | Aberaeron Memorial Hall, Aberaeron[21] | |
| 2019 | Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. | Niamh | Royal Court Theatre, London[22] | |
| 2023 | Dancing at Lughnasa | Agnes | Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London[23] | |
| Ulster American | Ruth Davenport | Riverside Studios, London[24] | ||
| 2024 | Long Day's Journey Into Night | Cathleen | Wyndham's Theatre, London[25] |