For many viewers, the name Jane McCarry immediately brings to mind Isa Drennan, the sharp-eyed, outspoken neighbour from the Scottish sitcom Still Game. The character became one of the show’s most recognisable figures, helping make McCarry a familiar face in Scottish television.
But there is more to Jane McCarry’s career than Isa. She has worked across television, theatre, children’s programming and live performance, building a career that stretches back to the 1990s. She has also taken on roles beyond comedy, including an appearance in the thriller series The Devil’s Hour.
This article looks at Jane McCarry’s background, her best-known roles, her work outside Still Game, and her more recent projects.
Who Is Jane McCarry?
Jane McCarry is a Scottish actress and performer from Glasgow. Public biographical sources identify her as having been born in 1970, and her professional career has included television, theatre and other forms of entertainment.
Before becoming widely known for Still Game, McCarry had already built experience as a performer. Her early television credits included appearances in programmes such as The Tales of Para Handy, Rab C. Nesbitt, Pulp Video and The Baldy Man.
Her work has also extended beyond acting. McCarry has had experience in drama education and has worked with theatre organisations, giving her a career that combines performance with a broader involvement in the arts.
That varied background is useful when considering why her performances often feel so distinctive. She has experience in both scripted comedy and live performance, where timing, characterisation and audience connection are particularly important.
Jane McCarry and Still Game
The role that transformed Jane McCarry’s public profile was Isa Drennan in Still Game. The BBC Scotland sitcom, created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, followed the lives of residents in the fictional Glasgow community of Craiglang. McCarry became a key member of the ensemble as Isa.
Isa is memorable because she is more than a supporting neighbour. She is curious, outspoken and deeply interested in the lives of the people around her. Her tendency to gather information and involve herself in other people’s business became an important source of comedy.
McCarry’s performance helped give the character a strong identity. Isa’s expressions, delivery and distinctive personality made her instantly recognisable to Still Game viewers.
The original television run began in 2002, and the programme eventually returned for further episodes after its successful live comeback. McCarry reprised Isa when Still Game returned to television, remaining part of the cast through the show’s final series in 2019.
Why Isa Drennan Became So Popular
A large part of Isa’s appeal comes from recognition. Although the character is exaggerated for comedy, her behaviour is rooted in a familiar type of community character: the neighbour who seems to know everyone’s business.
Isa is particularly effective because she is not simply there to deliver jokes. She has relationships, opinions and her own place within the Craiglang community. Her curiosity can create problems, but it also gives her an active role in the show’s stories.
McCarry’s comic timing is central to that effect. Rather than relying only on punchlines, the performance often allows humour to come from pauses, reactions and the way Isa responds to the other characters.
The character also benefited from the ensemble nature of Still Game. Isa could interact with Jack, Victor, Winston, Navid and the other residents, creating different comic dynamics depending on who she was speaking to.
That combination of character writing and performance explains why Isa remains one of the show’s most recognisable personalities years after the original series ended.
Jane McCarry’s Other Television Roles
Although Still Game is easily her best-known television credit, Jane McCarry has worked on several other productions.
One notable role was Granny Murray in the children’s programme Me Too!. The character was a childminder, and the series was designed around the lives of children and their parents. McCarry appeared in the programme during the mid-2000s.
She also appeared in Rab C. Nesbitt, taking on different roles during the programme’s run. Earlier credits include The Tales of Para Handy, Pulp Video and The Baldy Man.
In 2022, McCarry appeared in The Devil’s Hour, a darker television series starring Peter Capaldi and Jessica Raine. She played Bella Holness, showing a different side of her acting work outside the broad comedy associated with Isa Drennan.
Her screen work demonstrates that her career is not limited to one genre. Comedy remains central to her public identity, but her credits include children’s television, drama and other entertainment formats.
Jane McCarry on Stage and in Live Performance
Theatre has also been an important part of Jane McCarry’s career. Her work includes appearances in Scottish stage productions, including The Steamie, as well as pantomime performances.
Her experience on stage is significant because live performance requires a different kind of discipline from television. Actors have to maintain energy, respond to audiences and deliver performances consistently across multiple shows.
McCarry has also been involved in live Still Game performances. Following the show’s return to popularity, she joined the cast for the 2014 comeback live show in Glasgow, which featured multiple performances. She later continued to appear in productions outside television.
Her connection with live entertainment has continued into recent years. In August 2026, she is scheduled to appear in Scottish Comedy Legends: Jane McCarry at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh. The event focuses on her experiences in television and theatre and on the creation of Isa Drennan.
What Jane McCarry Has Been Doing More Recently
Jane McCarry has continued working in entertainment after Still Game. Her recent activities show that she has remained involved with Scottish television, comedy and broadcasting rather than simply stepping away after the sitcom ended.
In late 2025, reports announced that McCarry would join STV Radio’s presenting lineup, with a Saturday programme alongside Micky Gavin. The show was scheduled to cover stories and events from across Scotland.
Her recent work is a natural extension of a career built around communication and performance. Radio also gives her an opportunity to use the conversational style and humour that audiences have associated with her television work.
Her continued presence in live comedy is another indication that audiences remain interested in hearing about her career and her experiences creating Isa. The 2026 Edinburgh event, for example, is specifically built around her life in performance and her best-known character.
Jane McCarry’s Lasting Place in Scottish Entertainment
Jane McCarry’s career is a good example of how a single memorable character can become closely associated with an actor without defining the entirety of that person’s professional work.
Isa Drennan remains her signature role, and Still Game gave McCarry a level of recognition that few television characters achieve. The programme itself became a major part of Scottish comedy culture, while Isa developed into one of its most familiar personalities.
At the same time, McCarry’s career includes theatre, children’s television, drama, pantomime, live shows and broadcasting. Looking at those projects gives a fuller picture of her professional range.
For viewers discovering Jane McCarry through Still Game, her wider body of work is worth exploring. It shows an experienced performer who has spent decades working across different parts of Scottish entertainment.
Conclusion
Jane McCarry is best known to millions of viewers as Isa Drennan in Still Game, but her career extends well beyond the Craiglang community. From early television appearances and children’s programming to theatre, live performance, drama and broadcasting, she has built a varied career in Scottish entertainment.
Her portrayal of Isa remains her defining achievement. The character’s personality, comic timing and memorable relationships with other Still Game residents helped make her one of the show’s standout performers.
For anyone searching for Jane McCarry today, the most useful starting point is Still Game, followed by her other television credits and stage work. Her more recent radio and live projects also show that she remains active as a performer and entertainer.
FAQs
Who is Jane McCarry?
Jane McCarry is a Scottish actress and performer best known for playing Isa Drennan in the BBC sitcom Still Game. Her career also includes theatre, children’s television, drama and broadcasting.
What character did Jane McCarry play in Still Game?
She played Isa Drennan, one of the residents of Craiglang and a character known for her curiosity, outspoken personality and involvement in the lives of her neighbours.
When did Jane McCarry first appear in Still Game?
Jane McCarry appeared as Isa from the show’s first series in 2002. She later returned when Still Game came back for its later series and remained part of the cast through the final run in 2019.
Did Jane McCarry appear in any shows besides Still Game?
Yes. Her television credits include Me Too!, Rab C. Nesbitt, The Tales of Para Handy, The Baldy Man and The Devil’s Hour, among others.
Who did Jane McCarry play in Me Too!?
McCarry played Granny Murray, a childminder, in the children’s television programme Me Too!.
Has Jane McCarry worked in theatre?
Yes. She has performed in Scottish theatre productions and pantomimes, including The Steamie. She has also participated in live Still Game performances.
Is Jane McCarry still working?
Yes. Recent information shows McCarry continuing to work in entertainment, including radio and live performance. She is also scheduled for a 2026 Edinburgh event focused on her career and her role as Isa.
