Northern Ireland

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast: Production starts on Derry Girls creator’s new Netflix show

The new show follows three childhood friends on a ‘dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond’

Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee outside the Duke of York in Belfast. PICTURE: NETFLIX
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee outside the Duke of York in Belfast. PICTURE: NETFLIX (chris barr)

PRODUCTION has started on Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee’s highly anticipated Netflix series, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.

The comedy thriller follows three childhood friends in their late 30s brought together by the mysterious death of a fourth friend, which leads them on a “dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond as they try to piece together the truth of the past”.

Introducing the lead cast of Roísín Gallagher (The Dry, The Lovers) as “clever, chaotic TV writer” Saoirse, Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue, Unforgotten) as “glamorous, stressed-out mother of three” Robyn and Caoilfhionn Dunne (A Thousand Blows, Industry) as “dependable, inhibited carer” Dara, they embark on the adventure of their lives after a series of eerie events at their friend’s wake.



Billed as a show about “friendship, memory and what happens when life doesn’t turn out quite like you’d expected,” McGee commented: “I couldn’t be more excited to start production on How To Get To Heaven From Belfast.

“I’ve loved writing Saoirse, Robyn and Dara – three flawed, funny women who are about to embark on the most thrilling and terrifying adventure of their lives. A mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing and make you laugh out loud. Let’s go girls!”

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Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the series will feature eight hour-long episodes, with further details on the release date and supporting cast to follow.

Channel 4 had originally announced the show last August, but the show was later moved to Netflix over “changes in editorial direction” and “rising costs”.

Roísín Gallagher stars as "glamorous, stressed-out, mother-of-three" Saoirse in Lisa McGee's How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. PICTURE: NETFLIX
Roísín Gallagher stars as "glamorous, stressed-out, mother-of-three" Saoirse in Lisa McGee's How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. PICTURE: NETFLIX