Lisa McGee, the creator of the hit comedy 'Derry Girls', is back with a new eight-part series titled 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'. The show, described as a dark comedy thriller, follows three childhood friends who are drawn into a mystery after the death of a former schoolmate. Sinéad Keenan stars alongside Roisin Gallagher and Caoilfhionn Dunne.
The series centres on Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara, who have been friends since their teenage years at Our Lady of the Sorrows school. After the shocking death of their friend Greta, they become embroiled in a 'Knives Out'-style mystery. McGee has cited influences including 'Columbo' and 'Scooby-Doo', but at its heart, the show is about female friendships and the shared memories that bind them.
McGee originally wrote the concept as a play while at Queen's University in Belfast, but revisited it after reuniting with schoolfriends during the 'Derry Girls' premieres. The narrative jumps between the present day and flashbacks to the characters' teenage years, hinting at a dark secret they have never discussed. The trio sport matching tribal tattoos, the meaning of which remains unexplained, adding to the intrigue.
The show blends mystery with surreal comedy, featuring elements such as a yacht and a car chase that both explode. The characters' lives are initially mundane: Dara cares for her overbearing mother, Saoirse is a TV writer engaged to a man she dislikes, and Robyn is a harried mother of four in an unhappy marriage. Greta's death offers them an escape from their routines and forces them to confront their past.
'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' premieres soon, promising a mix of humour, suspense, and nostalgia. McGee describes it as 'a shit, female, Northern Irish A-Team', offering a fresh take on the mystery genre while exploring the complexities of long-standing friendships.
