Lisa McGee Returns with a Darkly Comic Netflix Thriller Set in Belfast
Eight years have passed since the global phenomenon Derry Girls first captivated audiences, launching its cast into stardom and establishing creator Lisa McGee as a master of Irish storytelling. Now, four years after that beloved series concluded, McGee is back with a bold new project that shifts focus from teenage schoolgirls to adult female friendships shrouded in mystery and dark humor.
A Premise Built on Secrets and Surprises
The eight-part Netflix thriller How to Get to Heaven from Belfast centers on three lifelong friends whose world is upended by shocking news. Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), a chaotic television writer; Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), a glamorous but overwhelmed mother of three; and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), a dedicated carer, have maintained their bond since high school. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they're contacted by a mysterious woman informing them that Greta, an estranged member of their teenage friendship group, has died.
What begins as a simple mission to pay respects at Greta's wake quickly unravels into something far more complex. The friends soon realize they share a long-held secret they're desperate to keep buried with Greta. Matters escalate dramatically when they discover Greta isn't actually dead after a bizarre accident involving her casket. This revelation propels them on a dangerous journey across Ireland as they attempt to piece together the truth about their former friend while confronting their own complicity in covering up a shocking crime from their school days.
The Cast's Enthusiasm for McGee's Vision
Roisin Gallagher admitted she "tortured and begged" her agent for an audition opportunity once she learned McGee was developing another series. "I wanted to make sure they kept their ear to the ground and not let this opportunity pass as I really wanted to take part," she recalled. For Sinéad Keenan, who previously worked with McGee on Derry Girls, London Irish, and Being Human, the decision was immediate: "Lisa was enough! When the call came in, I was like yes send the script over!"
McGee herself has long been fascinated by female friendships, stating two years ago: "Sometimes we get too obsessed with romantic relationships – friendship groups fascinate me." Despite the show's dark undertones and thriller elements, it serves as a profound exploration of platonic bonds that endure through adulthood's challenges.
A Celebration of Irish Identity and Culture
The series proudly embraces its Irish roots, featuring cultural and political references ranging from a cameo by The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty to jokes about the IRA, ISIS, and BUPA. One religious quip declares: "DNA is like Catholicism, it doesn't wash off." The cast unanimously praised the show's authentic Irish voice, with Gallagher explaining: "I think it's important that when you are telling a story of a place, that you realize as much of the reality of that place and that often is in how people speak."
For Gallagher, using her natural Belfast accent represented a significant personal milestone. "I left drama school in 2008 and there was definitely a sense of needing to be rid of my natural speaking voice," she revealed. "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."
Caoilfhionn Dunne noted the changing landscape for Irish actors: "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 more we perform in our own accents, the more people become attuned to them."
Addressing Northern Ireland's Complex History
Set against Belfast's backdrop, the series incorporates references to The Troubles, the decades-long conflict that shaped Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to 1998. While most references appear as passing jokes, Gallagher emphasized their necessity: "That part of history is woven into the fabric of the place and therefore the people. Humour is a coping mechanism. There's a collective macro-level shared experience of division that through storytelling like this gives a real reflection of what it was actually like."
She drew parallels to Derry Girls, which concluded with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement: "For me it is just totally essential – you just can't leave those things out."
Future Possibilities and Cultural Impact
While the first season concludes with a significant cliffhanger that will likely leave viewers craving more, the cast already has ideas for future adventures. When asked about potential second season directions, they agreed on international expansion: "We would love the next adventure to go further afield – somewhere like the Caribbean. Wherever Lisa McGee wants to take us, we will go."
The series also incorporates Irish language elements, which the cast described as "massively important" and something they were "very proud" to include. Dunne joked about one practical benefit: "Some day somebody will be able to pronounce my name!"
At its core, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast represents both a thrilling mystery and a heartfelt ode to friendships that withstand life's complexities. As Keenan reflected on maintaining bonds from formative years: "If you are lucky enough, to have met friends you have maintained from when you were 11 or 12, they have known you at every state. At your best, at your worst and when you are finding yourself and making those massive mistakes. If you are lucky enough, hang onto those for dear life – because they are gold."
The series is now streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a unique blend of dark comedy, cultural authenticity, and suspenseful storytelling that continues Lisa McGee's tradition of capturing Ireland's spirit through compelling female narratives.
