Exclusive: Sinead Keenan Embraces 'Potty-Mouthed' Role in Raucous Derry Girls Follow-Up
Sinead Keenan, renowned for her portrayal of DCI Jessica James in the ITV crime thriller Unforgotten, is set to star in a markedly different genre. The actress teams up once more with Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee for a sharp, sweet new murder mystery infused with Northern Irish humour. The comedy thriller, titled How To Get To Heaven from Belfast, promises a unique blend of dark comedy and heartfelt storytelling.
A Departure from Detective Drama
In this upcoming series, Keenan plays Robyn, one of three friends in their late thirties who are summoned to an old schoolmate's wake. What begins as a sombre gathering quickly spirals into a gag-filled murder mystery as dark secrets are unearthed. The 48-year-old Dublin-born mother of two expressed immense enjoyment in portraying the frazzled, sweary Belfast mum of three. "Robyn on the outside seems to have the perfect life—the perfect husband, the perfect house, the three kids," Keenan revealed. "But she's perpetually stressed, like a coiled spring ready to pop at any moment. That was great fun to play, and her foul mouth was a bonus!"
Hilarious Misadventures and Female Friendship
The show, described as both hilarious and dark, follows the trio's misadventures across Ireland, serving as a beautiful ode to female friendship. Keenan shared that filming was filled with belly laughs daily. "I literally laughed every single day," she said. "There were utterly hilarious moments, like trying to navigate a banana boat in one scene. When you see it, you'll imagine what went wrong—that's all I'm saying." The actresses, including Roisin Gallagher and Caoilfhionn Dunne, even performed their own stunts, with Keenan joking about nearly qualifying as a stunt driver after intense sequences filmed at Titanic Studios in Belfast.
Reuniting with Lisa McGee
This collaboration marks Keenan's third or fourth project with writer Lisa McGee, having previously appeared in Derry Girls, London Irish, and Being Human. Keenan expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I've been very lucky to turn up like a bad penny. I'm steeped in good luck to work with Lisa again. Any chance to work in Belfast, where my mum is from, I grab it. It was all glorious." The series, which premiered in conjunction with Tourism NI, will be available for streaming on Netflix from 12 February, offering viewers a fresh take on crime comedy with a distinct Irish flair.
