The creator of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee, has a new series ready for fans. Her show, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, will start on Netflix on February 12, 2026. The show is an eight-part comedy thriller about three lifelong friends who look into a strange death. A new trailer shows the darkly funny adventure the friends will go on.
The main trio is played by Roísín Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne. The show also has a big supporting cast with familiar faces like Michelle Fairley and Ardal O’Hanlon. Derry Girls fans will be happy to see Saoirse-Monica Jackson in a special appearance.
What the New Netflix Series is About
The show follows three friends who have been close since school. Saoirse is a chaotic TV writer, Robyn is a stressed mother of three, and Dara is a dependable carer. Now in their late 30s, they get an email saying a fourth member of their old friend group has died.
At her wake, strange things happen. This pushes the three friends into an adventure across Ireland to find out the truth about their friend’s past. Lisa McGee calls the show “a mash-up of my two favorite genres, mystery and comedy”.
She also said, “We want to keep you guessing and keep you laughing. I can’t wait for you to meet Saoirse, Robyn and Dara, and go on this wild, weird adventure with them”.
Full Cast and Character Guide for the Comedy Thriller
The show has a large cast led by three Irish actors. Roísín Gallagher plays Saoirse. Gallagher is known for the series The Dry and The Lovers. Sinéad Keenan plays Robyn. Keenan has starred in shows like Little Boy Blue and Unforgotten. Caoilfhionn Dunne plays Dara, with past roles in A Thousand Blows and Industry.
The supporting cast has many well-known actors from UK and Irish television:
- Tom Basden (After Life) plays Seb.
- Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) plays Margo.
- Ardal O’Hanlon (Death in Paradise) plays Seamus.
- Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders) plays Greta.
- Emmett J. Scanlan (Kin) plays Owen.
- Josh Finan (The Responder) plays Jason.
- Bronagh Gallagher (Pulp Fiction) plays Booker.
- Art Campion, who played Father Peter in Derry Girls, appears as Jim.
A special cameo comes from Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who played Erin Quinn in Derry Girls. Jackson said she is “elated to be back working with Lisa” on this new project.
Official Trailer and First Look Photos
Netflix released the first official trailer for the series on January 15, 2026. The trailer shows the show’s mix of comedy and dark mystery. The three main characters are seen dealing with the death of their friend and then finding clues that suggest her death was not normal.
The tone has the quick, funny talking and friendship moments that fans liked in Derry Girls, but with a thriller story. The trailer ends with the surprise appearance of Saoirse-Monica Jackson. Netflix also released first-look photos showing the main trio and some of the strange situations they find themselves in.
Lisa McGee Reunites the Derry Girls Creative Team
This series is Lisa McGee’s first major project since Derry Girls ended. She is the creator, writer, and an executive producer. McGee got the key creative team from Derry Girls to work on this new show.
Executive producers include Caroline Leddy and Liz Lewin, who worked on the earlier hit series. Michael Lennox, who directed episodes of Derry Girls, is also an executive producer and director for the new series. McGee praised the cast’s talent and chemistry and said Netflix was very supportive of the project’s “mad vision”.
Global Release Information for Viewers
All eight episodes of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast will be available at once. The global release is set for Thursday, February 12, 2026. The show will be on Netflix everywhere it is available. Each episode is about one hour long.
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