Tommy Tiernan

In Derry Girls (2018), Gerry Quinn has done nothing to deserve Granda Joe’s hostility, which offers him no protection from it. Tommy Tiernan plays the son-in-law opposite Ian McElhinney’s tireless antagonist, giving the household someone who understands how unreasonable it is. We laughed at the unfairness of Joe’s campaign because Tiernan makes Gerry’s resignation so convincing. The joke depends on Gerry knowing this will never end, however well he behaves. It is a fine piece of supporting comedy, attentive to the other actors without letting Gerry disappear.

His early screen work included Father Ted (1998), as Father Kevin, and About Adam (2000), as Simon. Stand-up then became his main occupation, with international touring taking precedence over acting. That makes the restraint of his return in Derry Girls worth noticing: a performer accustomed to holding an audience alone is content to serve a crowded scene. There is little here of the reckless manner associated with his stage work. He seems entirely content not to have the biggest laugh.

Lisa McGee’s sitcom gives him useful opposition in Tara Lynne O’Neill’s Ma Mary, who runs the house through threats, as well as McElhinney’s Joe. Tiernan gives Joe’s hostility a credible recipient; the unfairness needs to register for the joke to work. There is a limit to the part, though. The series’ repeating plots can leave him in much the same thankless position, with less opportunity than the more unreasonable characters to surprise us. We value the precision, but would not pretend this one role tells us everything he can do.

Later work includes voicing Seán Óg in Wolfwalkers (2020) and playing Dennis in Conversations with Friends (2022). Those credits take him into animation and drama, but Gerry remains our reason to recommend his acting. We would welcome another ensemble part with room for him to be less accommodating. Start with Derry Girls, and notice how much of the family comedy depends on the person getting the least respect.