Derry Girls Creator's Improvisation Skills Shine in New Netflix Series
The cast of Netflix's upcoming comedy mystery How to Get to Heaven From Belfast have revealed that creator Lisa McGee, renowned for her work on Derry Girls, demonstrated remarkable improvisational skills by crafting an entire scene on the spot during filming. According to exclusive interviews, McGee spontaneously rewrote crucial dialogue in just ten minutes, highlighting her dynamic approach to television production.
A Pivotal Scene Created in Minutes
Actress Caoilfhionn Dunne, who plays Dara in the series, recalled the moment when McGee stepped in to enhance a scene. "Lisa might come and tweak some stuff herself after having heard it," Dunne explained. "There was one day on set where she made up a whole bunch of dialogue that happens in the car on the spot. She was literally just watching on the monitor going 'No, we need more dialogue there'. And then she walked off for like 10 minutes and came back."
Her co-star Sinéad Keenan, portraying Robyn, added that McGee provided specific instructions, such as "'Can you say that? And can you say this?'" This spontaneous creation centered around a humorous debate about the finest varieties of cake, though spoilers for the series remain under wraps to preserve viewer intrigue.
Behind the Scenes of a Highly Anticipated Release
Set to launch on Thursday, 12th February, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is expected to become one of Netflix's most popular releases this year. The series follows three women in their 30s—Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara, played by Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne—who are stunned by the unexpected death of a fourth friend. After the funeral, they grow suspicious and embark on an investigation across Northern Ireland to uncover a mysterious conspiracy.
Boasting an all-star ensemble of Irish acting talent, the show blends hilarious comedy with nail-biting tension against the breathtaking scenery of Belfast and Donegal. It is touted as a must-watch for fans of Derry Girls and those craving a compelling whodunnit.
McGee's Philosophy on Comedy Writing
In shedding light on her writing process, McGee confessed that perfecting comedy can be surprisingly "boring" from a technical standpoint. "I really, really believe all comedy, whether it's Irish or British or American, is about rhythm," she explained. "It's so boring, it's about 'take that full stop out, move it there. Take that word out, put this word in instead'. And I think that's just comedy writing."
She emphasized the unique pace required for Irish comedy, stating, "But Irish comedy writing, you have to get that speed behind it. It's about winding them up and if it slows down at all it's gone. So, a lot of it is just really technical, boring. Not character stuff. But when you get all that going, it sounds really w***y, but it's like a piece of music. You know it'll work."
This insight into McGee's method underscores the meticulous craftsmanship behind the spontaneous moments that define her work, making How to Get to Heaven From Belfast a highly anticipated addition to Netflix's lineup.
