How To Get To Heaven From Belfast Arrives On Netflix Today
It’s no secret that Derry Girls was one of the best new comedies in years, with its blend of humour and genuinely touching moments- and now its creator is back with a new show that looks to be in that same, irresistible mould. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, written and created by Lisa McGee, arrives on Netflix today and tells the tale of three lifelong friends who reunite after a former classmate of theirs dies. But when they notice that something is amiss, the trio heads on a crazy journey. Here’s everything you need to know before you watch.
What is How to Get to Heaven from Belfast about?
Derry Girls’ runaway success means that it’s a tough act to follow, but McGee’s latest work sets itself apart by revolving around characters in their late 30s rather than their school days, and swapping the coming-of-age genre for a (comedic) murder mystery. Our trio of protagonists is led by Saorise (played by Roisin Gallagher), a “chaotic” TV writer, the glamorous but stressed mother-of-three Robyn (played by Sinéad Keenan) and carer Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne). All three remain close as ever as they get on with their lives and careers, and so when an email arrives informing them of the death of their friend, they immediately come together for the wake.
What’s the mystery?
The synopsis reveals that their now-deceased classmate was estranged from the others. Saorise, Robyn and Dara all notice strange and eerie events at the wake, hinting that perhaps there’s much they don’t know about how their old friend really died. Things are certainly mysterious, and the trio can’t help but investigate further. Soon, they find themselves embarking on a chaotic whirlwind journey through Ireland and beyond to piece together the truth of the past.
It’s the dynamic between the main women, though, that makes us think this will be another winner. In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum site, McGee said, “This is the show I’ve always wanted to make; a mash‑up of my two favourite genres, mystery and comedy. We want to keep you guessing and keep you laughing. I can’t wait for you to meet Saoirse, Robyn and Dara and go on this wild, weird adventure with them — an Irish odyssey — full of twists, turns, and arguments about eyelash extensions.”
