The wait is finally over for fans of Lisa McGee, the creative genius behind the beloved sitcom Derry Girls. Her new project, a dark comedy thriller titled How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, has officially landed on Netflix. The series premiered on February 12, 2026, and brings together a mix of familiar faces and incredible Irish talent .
This eight-episode series follows three childhood friends in their late 30s who get pulled into a dangerous mystery after the sudden death of the fourth member of their schoolyard group. What starts as a sad reunion at a wake quickly turns into a wild, funny, and tense adventure across Ireland . If you are planning to watch or are already hooked, here is a complete guide to the cast and the characters they bring to life.
The main trio: Saoirse, Robyn and Dara
At the heart of the series are three actresses who deliver standout performances. Their chemistry drives the show, blending humor with genuine emotion.
Róisín Gallagher takes on the role of Saoirse, described as a clever but chaotic TV writer. Gallagher, known for her leading roles in The Dry and The Lovers, brings a whirlwind energy to the character. She describes Saoirse as a “scatty-brained, creative whirlwind” who is fiercely loyal to her friends, sometimes forgetting she even has a fiancé back in London because she is so focused on the here and now . For Gallagher, using her natural Belfast accent in the role was a “total privilege,” as it celebrates how Irish accents truly sound .
Sinéad Keenan plays Robyn, a glamorous but perpetually stressed mother of three. Keenan’s character is the one trying to hold everything together, often coming across as “highly strung” and “passive-aggressive,” but with a good heart underneath all the anxiety . Irish audiences will recognize Keenan from her extensive work in top British television dramas like Unforgotten, Showtrial, and Silent Witness. She even made a guest appearance in the third season of Derry Girls .
Caoilfhionn Dunne rounds out the trio as Dara, a dependable but inhibited carer. Dara is described as a religious gay woman who is an optimist at heart but lives with a lot of fear . Dunne, an acclaimed stage performer, has built an impressive resume with roles in high-profile dramas such as Industry, Andor, and the horror film Saint Maud .
The supporting cast: Familiar faces join the fun
The series is packed with a deep bench of Irish and UK talent. Many of these actors are beloved for their previous work, and their presence adds layers of comedy and drama to the story .
Saoirse-Monica Jackson makes a delightful return to work with Lisa McGee. Best known as the perpetually stressed Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, Jackson was thrilled to reunite with the creator. She described the experience as fantastic, stating that the words McGee wrote for her were “delicious” . Jackson’s character adds another layer to the mystery, though details about her role are being kept under wraps.
Comedy legend Ardal O’Hanlon also joins the cast. O’Hanlon remains an icon for his portrayal of Father Dougal McGuire in the classic sitcom Father Ted. He later starred as DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise . In this series, he plays Seamus, an eccentric hotelier from Donegal. His co-stars were starstruck by his presence on set, with one admitting they grew up watching him on TV and had to stay professional .
Michelle Fairley, known to millions as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones, appears in the role of Margo. Her character is sure to bring a sense of weight and intrigue to the proceedings .
The cast also features Emmett J. Scanlan (Peaky Blinders) as Owen, and Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders) as Greta. The younger version of Greta is played by Emma Canning (Dune Prophecy) .
Other notable names in the ensemble include Tom Basden (Plebs) as Seb, Josh Finan (The Responder) as Jason, Bronagh Gallagher (Brassic) as Booker, and Darragh Hand (Heartstopper) as Liam . The lineup also includes Jeanne Ní Áinle from Bad Sisters, James Martin from the Oscar-winning short An Irish Goodbye, and Kerr Logan from The Night Manager .
The story behind the show
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is a passion project for Lisa McGee. She has described it as “the show I’ve always wanted to make,” a mix of her two favorite genres: mystery and comedy . The official synopsis reveals that the story begins when Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara receive an email about the death of their estranged friend, Greta. After a series of eerie events at her wake, the three friends are thrown into a dark, dangerous, and hilarious adventure across Ireland as they try to uncover the truth about the past .
The show is not just about the crime; it is a deep dive into friendship, memory, and what happens when life doesn’t turn out as expected. McGee promises plenty of twists, turns, and even “arguments about eyelash extensions” .
Interestingly, the cast revealed that McGee is so in tune with her work that she improvised an entire scene on set. Actress Caoilfhionn Dunne recalled a day when McGee watched a scene on a monitor, decided more dialogue was needed, walked off for ten minutes, and came back with a whole new conversation for the characters to have in a car . The scene in question reportedly revolves around a debate on the best types of cake .
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Where and when to watch
All eight episodes of How to Get to Heaven From Belfast are now available to stream on Netflix. Each episode runs for approximately 60 minutes . The series was primarily filmed in Belfast and across Northern Ireland, with additional scenes shot in County Antrim, Dublin, and London. Some key moments, including wake scenes, were filmed at real locations like the Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough .
For viewers in the United States, the show dropped at 12 am Pacific Time on February 12. This means it was available by 3 am on the East Coast. Audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland could start watching by 8 am, while viewers in the rest of Europe gained access by 9 am . In Australia and India, the series is also available globally on Netflix, so subscribers can check their local libraries starting February 12.
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