It’s been four years since Lisa McGee’s wildly popular Derry Girls wrapped up, but the acclaimed creator has returned with a brand-new Netflix series that’s already turning heads: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Premiering in February 2026, this eight-part dark comedy thriller takes viewers on a wild ride through the streets—and secrets—of Northern Ireland’s capital, blending sharp wit, suspense, and a deep dive into the enduring bonds of friendship.
At the heart of the story are Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne)—three women whose lives have drifted apart since their school days, but who are suddenly thrown back together after being contacted by a mysterious stranger. The reason? They’re told that Greta, the estranged fourth member of their teenage friend group, has died. But nothing is ever quite as it seems: after breaking into Greta’s casket (yes, you read that right), the trio make a shocking discovery—Greta isn’t dead at all. What follows is a dangerous journey across Ireland, as the friends try to unravel who Greta really is and confront a dark secret from their shared past involving a crime they once helped cover up as schoolgirls.
According to Metro, McGee’s new project veers away from the coming-of-age chaos of Derry Girls, instead focusing on adult female friendships and the complex, sometimes messy ways those bonds evolve over time. “Sometimes we get too obsessed with romantic relationships—friendship groups fascinate me,” McGee reflected, explaining her creative drive for the series. And it’s this platonic love, rarely given center stage, that pulses at the core of the show. The three leads bicker, reminisce, and push each other’s buttons, but always circle back to a deep, unspoken loyalty that’s survived decades of change.
The cast is a veritable who’s who of Irish and British television. Roisin Gallagher leads as Saoirse, a chaotic TV writer. Viewers may recognize Gallagher from her roles as DC Emer Taylor in The Fall, the lead in ITV’s The Dry, and as Laura in Harlan Coben’s Netflix thriller Lazarus. Sinéad Keenan, who plays Robyn, has a resume that spans from DCI Jessica James in Unforgotten to the werewolf Nina Pickering in Being Human, with appearances in Doctor Who and Showtrial to boot. Caoilfhionn Dunne, as Dara, has made her mark in Love/Hate, Industry, and A Thousand Blows, with notable guest spots in Ghosts and Andor.
But the star power doesn’t stop there. The supporting cast includes the iconic Bronagh Gallagher (as the show’s main antagonist), known for Pramface, You, Me and the Apocalypse, Brassic, and her breakout role in The Commitments. There’s also Tom Basden, Art Campion, Michelle Fairley (unforgettable as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones), Josh Finan, Darragh Hand, Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Dougal from Father Ted), Natasha O’Keeffe, and Emmett J. Scanlan. Even Saoirse-Monica Jackson, beloved as Erin in Derry Girls, makes a memorable cameo.
For the cast, working on a Lisa McGee project is a badge of honor. Gallagher confessed to Metro that she "tortured and begged" her agent for a shot at auditioning, desperate not to miss the opportunity. Keenan, who’s worked with McGee before, said, “Lisa was enough! When the call came in, I was like yes, send the script over!” The excitement is palpable, and it’s easy to see why—the show’s script is sharp, layered, and unabashedly Irish.
Indeed, the series wears its Irish identity with pride. From witty references to The Troubles and cameos by local celebrities like The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, to jokes about the IRA, ISIS, BUPA, and a particularly memorable quip—“DNA is like Catholicism, it doesn’t wash off”—the show is steeped in the history, humor, and language of Belfast. Gallagher, who grew up in the city, described using her natural accent on screen as a “privilege.” She recalled, “I left drama school in 2008 and there was definitely a sense of needing to be rid of my natural speaking voice, because people wouldn’t understand or there weren’t any parts available to me—that’s what the messaging was. So, to fast-forward to being in a Netflix show using my own voice and not having to water it down or change that vernacular, is very special and important.”
Dunne echoed this sentiment, noting the increasing acceptance of Irish accents on screen: “Where I would have previously been asked to tape in my own accent and also an English one, but now it’s been fine to do it with my Irish accent, which is grand.” The inclusion of Irish language and dialect throughout the series was “massively important” to the cast, who hope it helps normalize and celebrate the diversity of voices on mainstream television.
But it’s not all laughs and local color. The show doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of Northern Irish history. References to The Troubles, though often filtered through dark humor, are ever-present. Gallagher explained to Metro, “That part of history is woven into the fabric of the place and therefore the people, and therefore why people do what they do and say what they say and behave the way they do. Humour is a coping mechanism. There’s a collective macro-level shared experience of division that through storytelling like this... is a real reflection of what it was actually like, and a better understanding of some of the history of the place, without being dictated to or in an educational sense—it was just a better understanding. For me it is just totally essential—you just can’t leave those things out.”
According to Yahoo News, the series has been critically acclaimed for its deft blending of comedy and suspense, and for reuniting McGee with many of her Derry Girls collaborators. The show’s unique premise—three women, a not-so-dead friend, and a years-old secret—offers plenty of twists, but its real strength lies in the authenticity of its characters and the specificity of its setting. The cast’s chemistry, honed over years of working together on other projects, shines through in every scene.
And if you’re wondering whether this is a one-off, think again. The first season ends on a cliffhanger that’s sure to leave fans clamoring for more. While the cast is tight-lipped about future storylines, they all agree: “We would love the next adventure to go further afield—somewhere like the Caribbean. Wherever Lisa McGee wants to take us, we will go.”
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is now streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to laugh, gasp, and maybe even shed a tear as they follow Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara on their unforgettable journey. With its blend of irreverent humor, thrilling plot twists, and heartfelt celebration of friendship, this is one Irish export you won’t want to miss.