Lisa McGee, creator of the hit comedy 'Derry Girls', returns with a new eight-part series, 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'. The show marks a departure from her previous work, blending mystery, thriller, and surreal comedy. McGee describes it as 'a shit, female, Northern Irish A-Team'.
The series follows three childhood friends—Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara—who reunite after the shocking death of their school friend Greta. Together, they embark on a Knives Out-style investigation, uncovering dark secrets from their past. The story jumps between present day and their teenage years, with flashbacks hinting at a mysterious event they refuse to discuss.
McGee originally wrote the concept as a play while at Queen's University Belfast, but revisited it after reuniting with old school friends during 'Derry Girls' premieres. The title was inspired by flyers handed out by Christian societies during freshers' week.
At its core, the show explores female friendship and the tension between shared history and personal reinvention. 'The problem with a group of friends that have known each other since they were kids,' McGee notes, 'is that you know everything. And sometimes you don’t want that thing from your past being brought up again.'
The trio—a TV writer, a harried mother, and a caregiver—find their mundane lives upended by the mystery, which features a yacht, a car chase, and eerie elements reminiscent of Scooby-Doo. The show also draws inspiration from 'Columbo' and 'Yellowjackets'.
