Lisa McGee Announces New Netflix Comedy Series ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ Following Derry Girls Success

Lisa McGee, the acclaimed creator of the hit series Derry Girls, is preparing to launch her new project, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, on Netflix starting February 12, 2026. The eight-part comedy-thriller series follows three lifelong friends—Saoirse (Róisín Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne)—who reunite in Belfast for the funeral of a childhood friend. What begins as a traditional Irish wake quickly turns into an eerie adventure filled with mystery when suspicions arise about the death. McGee describes the show as ‘essentially a murder mystery, but funny,’ blending dark themes with the sharp, dark Northern Irish humor she mastered in Derry Girls. The series explores friendship, midlife challenges, motherhood, career pressures, and caring for aging parents, while allowing the characters—now in their late 30s or early 40s—to embark on one last chaotic quest. Drawing from her own life experiences, McGee infuses the story with relatable elements, such as the stresses of parenting and personal frustrations. She aimed to create a truthful representation of Northern Irish life and culture. The show shifts genres from Derry Girls’ coming-of-age sitcom set during The Troubles to a darker, more suspenseful narrative, though it retains the same emotional core and witty tone. McGee admits to feeling nervous before releases but says nothing compares to the pressure of Derry Girls’ finale tied to the Good Friday Agreement. She hopes audiences will embrace this new vision, which promises both laughs and intrigue.