Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, known for her role as Michelle Mallon in the Channel 4 series "Derry Girls," has revealed that she has cut ties with her entire family. This significant life change followed an intense period of therapy and an impulsive move to Barcelona, Spain, in 2025.
O'Donnell, 39, shared her experiences on the "Dish from Waitrose" podcast, explaining that she decided to sell her home in Ireland and relocate to Spain without knowing anyone there. She described the move as trusting the universe and a desire for a fresh start. The actress stated that the therapy she underwent was intense and challenging, but ultimately led her to a point where she felt ready to initiate a new chapter in her life.
"I just had to figure some stuff out," O'Donnell said on the podcast. "You know, you kind of get to a certain point of your life or your career or whatever and then you're like, 'Oh, that is a problem. I need to figure that out.'"
She further elaborated that the decision to go no contact with her family was a part of her therapeutic process. "Well, that's part of the therapy. I had to go no contact with my entire family," she stated. O'Donnell acknowledged that while difficult, she has come to understand that this is not an uncommon situation for adults.
The actress, who was raised in Derry, moved to England for performing arts studies before dividing her time between acting work in Northern Ireland and London. Previously, in a December interview with hotpress.com, O'Donnell discussed how therapy had been transformative, helping her to process childhood experiences. She noted that after the global success of "Derry Girls," she struggled mentally, necessitating a pause to address underlying issues.
O'Donnell's next acting role will be the lead in the upcoming BBC One comedy "Hopley Hall." The series, created by Daniel Peak, centers on the staff and volunteers managing a historic house in the Northern Ireland countryside.