Louisa Harland Celebrated for Rising Talent, Highlights Support from Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal

Louisa Harland, the breakout star of “Derry Girls” and featured in the Oscar-nominated film “Hamnet,” has been awarded the Rising Star award at the Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs). Harland used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the kindness and support she received from her “Hamnet” co-stars, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

A Warm Welcome on Set

Harland shared that both Buckley and Mescal “went out of their way” to make her feel included during filming of “Hamnet,” where she portrayed the mother of Buckley’s character in flashback scenes . Despite only spending a week on set, Harland felt warmly welcomed by the acclaimed actors, noting their generosity as a testament to the strength of the Irish acting community .

Tribute to a Crew Member

In her acceptance speech, Harland likewise paid tribute to Brian Murphy, a unit driver on the series “The Walsh Sisters,” who passed away this year. She described Murphy as an “incredibly kind man” and an example of the high quality of crew members within the Irish film industry, acknowledging their significant contribution to her development as an actor .

IFTAs Celebrate Irish Talent

The IFTAs, a prestigious event recognizing excellence in Irish film and television, also saw awards for Jessie Buckley, who won Lead Actress for her performance in “Hamnet,” and Paul Mescal, who took home Best Supporting Actor for the same film . “Hamnet” also received awards for International Film and Script Film . The ceremony was attended by a number of prominent figures, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone .

Harland’s Rising Star Status

Harland’s Rising Star award recognizes her emerging talent and contributions to the Irish screen industry . She expressed her gratitude for the recognition, describing the category as “full of talent” and feeling “so lucky to be part of this industry, especially in Ireland” . She highlighted the unique collaborative spirit and shorthand among Irish film crews, noting it as a defining characteristic of the industry .