Saoirse-Monica Jackson in How to Get to Heaven from BelfastImage via Netflix
By
Giovana Gelhoren
Published Feb 27, 2026, 7:41 PM EST
Giovana Gelhoren is a High-Trending Topics Writer at Collider, covering the most-talked-about stars, movies, and TV shows. Before joining Collider, she was a Digital News Writer at People Magazine and served as Associate Editor at SheKnows, where she honed her expertise in celebrity coverage and entertainment journalism.
A proud Latina from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Giovana graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism and International Studies. She has interviewed countless celebrities, including Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Brenda Song, and is known for her encyclopedic knowledge of film, TV, and pop culture.
Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapWhile it's not exactly a hard and fast rule, chances are that if you loved a TV show from one creator, you'll at least enjoy their other projects too. After all, while the connection between shows might be as simple as similar dialogue, and even extend all the way to casting the same actors, some creators have a signature style. For Lisa McGee, the creator and writer of Derry Girls, that's undoubtedly the case.
Most recently, McGee released a new show, titled How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, which was released on February 12, 2026. The series, best described as a comedic thriller, has a similar humor and overall pacing that was signature to Derry Girls for three seasons. So, if you're a fan of McGee's comedy series, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast should definitely join your watchlist.
What Is 'How To Get To Heaven From Belfast' About?
How To Get To Heaven From Belfast follows three longtime friends: Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), a secretive and pot-stirring TV writer, Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), a foul-mouthed mother of three, and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), a gullible yet dependable best friend. The series kicks off when the three of them, now in their 30s, receive a mysterious email claiming that the fourth member of their childhood gang, Greta (Natasha O'Keeffe), has died. They then travel together to their hometown in Northwestern Ireland to be at her funeral, when signs that things are not what they seem start to pop up.
As the trio searches for answers, alongside a handsome police officer named Liam (Darragh Hand), they begin to uncover a deeper web of lies and murder, and begin being followed themselves. As they try to outsmart their stalker, they also come to terms with a deep, dark secret they've kept buried since their childhood. Can they continue to keep their secret hidden and get Greta justice? Could there be a connection between both events? The series also stars Emmett J. Scanlan, Bronagh Gallagher, Michelle Fairley, Josh Finan and Emma Canning.
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Posts 1 By David Caballero'How To Get To Heaven From Belfast' and 'Derry Girls' Have a Lot in Common
In addition to the creator being the same, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and Derry Girls have a lot in common. Not only are the pacing, sharp dialogue and humor similar, but Derry Girls fans will see plenty of familiar faces onscreen. Among the actors in both shows are stars Keenan and Gallagher, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who plays a colorful character who's polar opposites to her iconic Feeney, Maria Laird, Ardal O'Hanlon, Eleanor Methven, just to name a few. Plus, one scene of the series even takes place in front of the iconic mural of the Derry Girls group in Northern Ireland.
According to one review on Rotten Tomatoes, in which How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has scored an impressive 94%, it states that both shows are so similar, they almost feel like a continuation of one another. "If you've seen Derry Girls...you'll probably feel like you're watching a version of those friends with their unique, sing-song accent—the famous Derry accent —20 years later," said the review.
Subscribe for More TV deep dives and creator updates
Discover deeper context on creators, casting and must-watch picks by subscribing to the newsletter. Thoughtful breakdowns of shows like How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, Derry Girls connections, and curated viewing recommendations. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.With that said, while How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has yet to break through Netflix's top 10 (only reaching #2 in Ireland), the series is a must-watch for fans of Derry Girls. Through a complicated mystery, and dark, long-buried secrets, McGee changes genres yet continues to do what she does best: put powerful Irish female characters, and their unwavering friendships, on center stage.
How To Get To Heaven From Belfast
Like Follow Followed M18 Comedy Drama Mystery Thriller Release Date February 12, 2026 Network Netflix Directors Michael LennoxCast
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Roisin Gallagher
Saoirse
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Sinéad Keenan
Robyn
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Caoilfhionn Dunne
Dara
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Darragh Hand
Liam
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How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
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Netflix
Subscribe for More TV deep dives and creator updates
Discover deeper context on creators, casting and must-watch picks by subscribing to the newsletter. Thoughtful breakdowns of shows like How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, Derry Girls connections, and curated viewing recommendations. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.What To Watch
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