Louisa Harland is an Irish actress who gained international recognition for her portrayal of the delightfully eccentric Orla McCool in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls. Born in Dublin in 1993, she has since built a career that spans television, film, and theatre, with notable roles in Disney+ series Renegade Nell and the upcoming feature film Hamnet. This profile examines her biography, filmography, and what is publicly known about her personal life.
Harland trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and spent her early career appearing in short films and minor television roles before landing the part that would define a generation of Irish comedy fans. Her performance as Orla McCool in Derry Girls ran for three seasons between 2018 and 2022 and earned her a devoted following.
In 2024, Harland stepped into a lead role as Nell Jackson in the Disney+ period action series Renegade Nell, signalling a shift toward high-profile streaming productions. She is also attached to the 2025 film Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, and the television series The Walsh Sisters. For readers interested in other Irish talents, see the profile on Cush Jumbo – Biography, Career, and Personal Life.
What Are Louisa Harland’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Quick Overview
| Born | January 31, 1993 (age 32 in 2025) |
| Known for | Orla McCool in Derry Girls |
| Upcoming | Hamnet (2025 film) |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
Key Insights
- Louisa Harland rose to fame with her comedic timing as Orla McCool in Derry Girls (2018–2022).
- Her career has expanded to dramatic roles in films like Boys from County Hell and the upcoming Hamnet.
- She played the lead role of Nell Jackson in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell (2024).
- Personal life details — including her relationship with Calvin Demba and whether she has children — are not officially confirmed and remain speculative.
- Despite fan interest, no reliable source has published her exact height.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth date | January 31, 1993 (per IMDb) |
| Birth place | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Education | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Notable roles | Orla McCool (Derry Girls), Nell (Renegade Nell) |
| Upcoming | Hamnet (2025) |
Breakout Role as Orla McCool in Derry Girls
Harland played Orla McCool, the cousin of lead character Erin Quinn, across all three series of Derry Girls. The show, set in 1990s Northern Ireland during the Troubles, became a cultural phenomenon in the UK and Ireland and found a global audience on Netflix. Orla’s deadpan, offbeat delivery made Harland a standout performer in an ensemble cast that included Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, and Dylan Llewellyn.
The role required Harland to adopt a higher-pitched voice than her natural speaking voice, a detail she has discussed in interviews. Derry Girls ran from 2018 to 2022 and remains the work for which she is most widely recognised.
Upcoming Film: Hamnet (2025)
Harland is cast as Rowan in Hamnet, a film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about the life of William Shakespeare’s son. The film is directed by Chloé Zhao and features a cast that includes Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Emily Watson. Hamnet is scheduled for release in 2025 and is expected to raise Harland’s international profile further.
Complete Louisa Harland Filmography
Below is a list of her known television and film credits, drawn from multiple sources.
| Title | Role | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derry Girls | Orla McCool | 2018–2022 | TV Series |
| Renegade Nell | Nell Jackson | 2024 | TV Series |
| The Walsh Sisters | Anna Walsh | 2025 | TV Series |
| Boys from County Hell | Claire McCann | 2020 | Film |
| Hamnet | Rowan | 2025 | Film |
| Standby | Julie | 2014 | Film |
| Lost in London | Stella | 2017 | Film |
| The Deceived | Cloda O’Donnell | 2020 | TV Mini-Series |
| Joy | Rachel | 2024 | Film |
| Big Boys | — | 2023 | TV Series |
| Sunday Tide | Violet | 2018 | Short Film |
She also appeared in short films such as Noah (2022) and voiced a role in Odd Socks (2025).
How Old Is Louisa Harland and How Tall Is She?
Louisa Harland’s Age and Birth Date
According to IMDb, Louisa Harland was born on January 31, 1993, in Dublin, Ireland. That makes her 32 years old as of 2025. Some sources list her birth year as 1993 or 1994, but January 31, 1993 is the most consistently cited date across verified profiles. She grew up in the Dundrum and Ladbroke Grove areas of Dublin.
While January 31, 1993 is the date provided by Famous Birthdays and IMDb, Wikipedia records her birth year as “1993 or 1994,” introducing a small degree of uncertainty. Most biographical references default to 1993.
Louisa Harland’s Height
Harland’s height has not been published by any authoritative source. Neither Wikipedia, IMDb, nor her agency profiles include a height measurement. Fan speculation varies, but in the absence of official confirmation, any figure remains unverified. She has hazel eyes and is frequently noted for her freckles and deep, warm natural voice.
Does Louisa Harland Have Children or a Partner?
Louisa Harland and Calvin Demba
As of 2023, Harland is reported to be in a relationship with English actor Calvin Demba, according to Wikipedia. Demba is known for his roles in Starstruck and The Lazarus Project. The relationship has not been the subject of an official public statement from either party, and details about when it began remain private.
Wikipedia lists Calvin Demba as Harland’s partner as of 2023, but the entry cites no direct confirmation from the actress herself. Harland maintains a relatively private social media presence on Instagram (@louisadodgeharland), where she posts about photography and her father’s progressive disability but does not share details about romantic relationships.
Speculation About Children and a Baby
There is no public record indicating that Louisa Harland has children. Searches related to “Louisa Harland baby” or “Louisa Harland children” return no credible sources or official announcements. Any suggestion that she has a child appears to stem from fan speculation rather than confirmed information.
No reliable source — including Wikipedia, IMDb, or her representatives — has reported that Harland is a parent. Without a direct statement from the actress or a verified media report, claims about children or a baby should be treated as unsubstantiated.
What Is Louisa Harland’s Career Timeline?
The following timeline outlines the major milestones in her professional life to date.
- 1993: Born in Dublin, Ireland on January 31.
- Early 2010s: Trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London after attending Wallace College Dublin and the Ann Kavanagh Youth Theatre in Rathfarnham.
- 2014: Appeared in the film Standby as Julie.
- 2017: Played Stella in Woody Harrelson’s Lost in London.
- 2018–2022: Played Orla McCool in Derry Girls, her breakout role. After filming the first season, she worked in a pub to support herself.
- 2020: Appeared in the horror-comedy film Boys from County Hell and the TV mini-series The Deceived.
- 2024: Starred as Nell Jackson in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell and appeared in the film Joy.
- 2025: Scheduled to appear in Hamnet (film) and The Walsh Sisters (TV series).
What Is Known and Not Known About Louisa Harland?
Separating verified facts from open questions helps provide a clearer picture of what can be reliably stated about the actress.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born January 31, 1993 in Dublin, Ireland (IMDb, multiple sources). | Her exact height has not been formally confirmed by any source. |
| Known for playing Orla McCool in Derry Girls and Nell Jackson in Renegade Nell. | Her relationship with Calvin Demba is referenced on Wikipedia but not officially confirmed by either party. |
| Cast as Rowan in the 2025 film Hamnet. | No reliable information confirms whether she has children or a baby. |
| Trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and attended Wallace College Dublin. | Her natural voice is described as deep and warm, but no formal interviews have been widely cited on this point. |
Who Is Louisa Harland Beyond Her Roles?
Louisa Harland is a rising Irish actress whose popularity spiked after Derry Girls. Her transition to major film roles and a Disney+ series indicates a broadening career trajectory. She lives in Ladbroke Grove, London, and is an avid photographer who prefers shooting on film, according to her Instagram profile.
She has two older sisters named Katie and Ellie, and her father is from Northern Ireland. On Instagram, she has spoken about her father’s progressive disability, which she has linked to Muscular Dystrophy. As a relatively private figure, Harland keeps most personal matters off social media, and much of the public curiosity about her life — especially regarding relationships and children — stems from fan interest rather than disclosed information.
For readers interested in profiles of other actresses with similar career arcs, see Cush Jumbo – Biography, Career, and Personal Life and Keira Knightley – Biography, Movies, Husband and Net Worth 2025.
Where Can You Find Verified Information About Louisa Harland?
The most reliable sources for factual information about Louisa Harland are her Wikipedia page, her IMDb profile, and her profile on the National Theatre website. Her agency profile at The B Side also provides professional credits.
“Louisa Clare Harland (born 1993 or 1994) is an Irish actress.”
— Wikipedia
“Louisa Harland was born on 31 January 1993 in Dublin, Ireland.”
— IMDb
“Louisa Harland trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.”
— National Theatre
What Is Next for Louisa Harland?
The film Hamnet is set to release in 2025, which will likely increase search interest in Louisa Harland. Alongside that, she is attached to the television series The Walsh Sisters, also expected in 2025. Additional roles in film or television may be announced as these projects approach release. Given her private nature, no official updates on her personal life are anticipated unless she chooses to share them publicly.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.