Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series How to Get to Heaven From Belfast arrived on February 12, 2026, and viewers are already spotting familiar faces throughout the eight-episode comedy-thriller. One character catching attention is Feeney, played by an actress audiences definitely recognise from somewhere.
The Derry Girls creator packed her latest project with Irish talent, but Saoirse-Monica Jackson stands out for fans who followed her career since her breakout role as the dramatic Erin Quinn. Her appearance as Feeney marks a fun reunion with McGee, and here is exactly where you have seen her before.
From Derry Girls to Netflix’s New Hit
Saoirse-Monica Jackson built her reputation playing the ambitious, slightly dramatic teenager Erin Quinn in Channel 4’s beloved sitcom Derry Girls. The show ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2022 and became a cultural phenomenon far beyond Ireland. Jackson’s performance captured the chaos of 1990s Northern Ireland through the eyes of a teen just trying to figure out life, boys, and her place in the world.
For many viewers, Erin Quinn remains Jackson’s most iconic role. The character’s constant scheming, her disastrous attempts at romance, and her fierce loyalty to her friends made her instantly lovable. When fans see Jackson pop up in How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, that connection immediately clicks.
The actress clearly enjoys working with McGee. She told press that returning to work with the Derry Girls creator was fantastic, describing the words McGee writes for her as “delicious” to perform .
Beyond the School Gates: Jackson’s Other Roles
While Derry Girls made her a household name, Saoirse-Monica Jackson has been steadily building an impressive resume since the show ended. She appeared in the BBC crime drama The Five, and more recently starred in the Channel 5 dystopian thriller The Trial .
Jackson also showed up in unexpected places. She had a role in The Flash, proving her appeal reaches beyond Irish and British productions. She joined the cast of Netflix’s The Decameron and took on a serious role in the BBC One crime series This City Is Ours .
Her range as an actress means she can move from comedy to drama without missing a beat. That versatility serves her well in How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, where the tone shifts between hilarious moments and genuinely tense sequences.
What Is Feeney’s Role in the Show?
Without giving away too many spoilers, Feeney enters the story as part of a mysterious organisation. She works alongside Booker, played by Bronagh Gallagher, running operations that initially seem designed to help women start fresh lives .
As the series progresses, Feeney and Booker discover their boss has been running corrupt schemes behind their backs. They end up taking matters into their own hands, dispatching the corrupt leadership with help from a midwife character. By the finale, they are starting a new organisation, and creator Lisa McGee has hinted that their story could expand in a potential second season .
Jackson brings energy to the role that feels familiar to Derry Girls fans, but Feeney is no Erin Quinn. She operates in a darker world, even if the show maintains McGee’s signature comedic touch.
The Derry Girls Reunion Factor
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast features more than just Jackson from the Derry Girls universe. Comedy legend Ardal O’Hanlon, who played Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted, also joins the cast as Séamus, an eccentric hotelier from Donegal . While O’Hanlon wasn’t in Derry Girls, his presence adds to the Irish comedy pedigree.
Sinéad Keenan, who plays Robyn in the new series, actually made a cameo appearance in the third season of Derry Girls . That connection means the new show functions as something of a reunion for McGee’s favourite collaborators.
Jackson herself seemed thrilled to be back in the fold. The Derry Girls cast remain close, and working with McGee again gave her the chance to play a completely different type of character while still delivering the sharp dialogue fans expect.
What Happens to Feeney in Season One
Spoilers ahead for those who haven’t finished the series.
Feeney and Booker’s storyline reaches a critical point when they uncover the truth about their employer. Rather than walking away, they eliminate the corrupt leaders and set up shop on their own. The finale suggests they might recruit the main trio—Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne)—into their new organisation .
McGee has talked about expanding this concept in a second season. She finds the idea of running this secret organisation out of a hairdresser’s shop in Derry hilarious, and she wants to add more people to the group. When asked if those new members could include familiar faces from Derry Girls, she left the door wide open .
Jackson’s role could easily grow if Netflix orders more episodes. The show leaves her character in a position of power, running a new organisation with Booker. That setup gives writers plenty of room to bring her back into the main action.
Where Else to Watch Saoirse-Monica Jackson
For viewers who want more Jackson content while waiting for potential season two news, several of her projects are available to stream. Derry Girls remains on Netflix in most regions, letting fans revisit Erin Quinn’s most chaotic moments.
The Decameron is also on Netflix, offering a completely different vibe. That show reimagines Boccaccio’s 14th-century stories with a modern twist, and Jackson holds her own among an ensemble cast.
This City Is Ours aired recently on BBC One and should be available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers. The crime drama shows Jackson tackling serious material, proving she can handle heavy roles just as well as comedy.
The Personal Side: Jackson’s Life Off-Screen
Saoirse-Monica Jackson made headlines last year when she married Scottish DJ Hector Barbour, known professionally as Denis Sulta. The couple tied the knot in a Celtic-themed wedding that reflected Jackson’s Irish roots and Barbour’s Scottish background .
The 32-year-old actress keeps her personal life relatively private, but the wedding news delighted fans who followed her career since Derry Girls. She continues to split time between Ireland and Scotland, balancing her acting career with married life.
Why Feeney Stands Out in the Series
Even in a supporting role, Jackson makes an impression. Feeney arrives midway through the mystery and immediately brings a different energy. She operates in the shadows, helping women disappear while staying hidden herself. When she discovers her boss is corrupt, she shifts from follower to leader without losing the character’s essential nature.
Jackson plays Feeney with the same sharp timing that made Erin Quinn memorable, but she tones down the teenage enthusiasm. This character has seen things. She moves differently, speaks differently, and carries herself with the weight of someone who knows the world can be dangerous.
That performance demonstrates why Jackson keeps getting work. She disappears into roles rather than playing variations of herself. Feeney feels like a real person with history and motivation, not just a familiar face dropped into the story for recognition value.
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The Future for Jackson and the Show
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast launched to strong reviews, with critics praising the blend of comedy and mystery. The show hit Netflix globally on February 12, dropping all eight episodes at once for binge-watchers .
Netflix has not yet announced a second season, but creator Lisa McGee already knows what she wants to do. She told reporters she has a clear idea what is in the mysterious bag from the finale, though she might change her mind when actually writing season two .
If the show continues, Jackson’s Feeney seems positioned to play a larger role. The organisation she now runs with Booker could intersect with the main trio’s lives in interesting ways. McGee also hinted at bringing in more Derry Girls alumni, which could turn the show into an ongoing reunion for fans of Irish comedy.
For now, viewers can enjoy Jackson’s performance in season one and catch up on her previous work while waiting to see where Feeney goes next. The character represents another successful collaboration between McGee and an actress who clearly understands the writer’s voice.
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is streaming now on Netflix with all eight episodes available.
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