Lisa McGee Trades Derry for Belfast in New Mystery Comedy, ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’
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The creator of the beloved “Derry Girls” delivers a darkly comedic thriller set just 70 miles away, exploring decades of female friendship and a shocking mystery.
Following the phenomenal success of “Derry Girls,” writer Lisa McGee returns with “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,” a new eight-part series debuting on Netflix February 12th. While geographically close to her previous hit, McGee emphasizes this show is a deliberate departure. As she puts it, she envisioned “a shit, female, Northern Irish A-Team!”
The series centers on Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), lifelong friends since their days at Our Lady of the Sorrows school. Their lives are upended when a shocking death – that of their school friend, Greta – plunges them into a “Knives Out”-style mystery.
Beyond Comedy: A Story Rooted in Friendship
Though billed as a mystery comedy thriller, drawing inspiration from shows like “Columbo” and “Scooby-Doo,” at its core, “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” is a nuanced exploration of female friendship. McGee delves into the complexities of relationships spanning decades, the shared history, and the often-unspoken pressure to revise those memories to align with present-day self-perception.
“The problem with a group of friends that have known each other since they were kids,” McGee explains, “is that you know everything. And sometimes you don’t want that thing from your past being brought up again.” This dynamic, she notes, creates a constant negotiation of “an agreed lie,” where even seemingly trivial changes – like a friend’s newfound taste for sushi – can spark unexpected tension.
A Story Decades in the Making
Interestingly, “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” predates “Derry Girls” in McGee’s creative journey. She originally wrote it as a play during her time at Queen’s University in Belfast, centered around a reunion. The title itself came from flyers distributed by Christian societies during her freshman year. While the initial version wasn’t fully realized, revisiting the concept during the success of “Derry Girls” – and reconnecting with old school friends at premieres – reignited her passion for the story.
A Blend of Genres and Timeframes
The series employs a narrative structure reminiscent of “Yellowjackets,” weaving between the present day and flashbacks to the women’s teenage years. These flashbacks are shrouded in mystery, hinting at dark secrets involving satanic symbols and unexplained events. The show also promises moments of explosive action, comparable to “The White Lotus” but set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland’s rugged landscape – complete with yacht chases and fiery car crashes.
Before embarking on their amateur sleuthing, the women are grappling with personal challenges. Dara is caring for her mother after a breakup, Saoirse is a London-based TV writer in a lackluster engagement, and Robyn juggles motherhood with a strained marriage. Greta’s death serves as a catalyst, offering an escape from the mundane and an opportunity to confront the uncanny elements of their lives. As one character observes, “Derry people…are always such weirdos.”
Unraveling Secrets and Confronting the Past
The investigation leads the trio to Greta’s wake, where they encounter her enigmatic family. Her mother’s evasiveness, her daughter’s unsettling demeanor, and the suspicious behavior of her widower, Garda officer Owen (Emmett J Scanlan), all contribute to the mounting intrigue.
The show operates on multiple layers, presenting a mystery within a mystery. While attempting to uncover the truth about Greta’s death, Robyn, Saoirse, and Dara are forced to confront a long-buried secret from their adolescence – “the thing we never talk about.” They share matching tribal tattoos, a symbol whose meaning remains elusive, and insist they did nothing wrong, but the audience is left to question their honesty and potential guilt.
A Comedic Approach to Dark Themes
Like the “Scooby-Doo” gang navigating the countryside, the women’s investigation is often chaotic and haphazard. They disrupt a funeral with Disney princess masks and seek refuge from a storm with an eccentric innkeeper, Seamus (Ardal O’Hanlon), known for his spinning bow tie and themed discos. Dara even stages a fake wake for her mother to extract information from a local funeral director.
The series embraces a darkly comedic tone, where “the craic may be deadly, but it’s still craic.” The crimes and tragedies are often fantastical – a boy raised by chickens, a Kenny Rogers impersonator’s untimely demise – adding to the show’s unique flavor.
McGee’s Evolving Voice and Return to Belfast
McGee emphasizes her desire to explore new creative territory with this project. “I always loved the mystery genre, and I wanted to put my voice on something new,” she states. She acknowledges feeling less pressure with this series compared to the highly anticipated third season of “Derry Girls,” allowing her to focus on simply telling a compelling story set in Northern Ireland.
Having returned to Belfast after 12 years in London, McGee’s personal experiences with identity and belonging are reflected in the character of Saoirse, who struggles to find a sense of place in either city. The frustration of having her Irish identity constantly explained away – being referred to as “Seersh” or simply “Irish” – resonates with McGee’s own experiences.
Echoes of ‘Derry Girls’ and a Celebration of Female Bonds
Elements of the “Derry Girls” characters are subtly woven into the personalities of Saoirse, Dara, and Robyn. Dara shares similarities with Orla, while Robyn embodies the spirit of Michelle, based on a real-life friend who evolved into a glamorous mother of four. However, “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” delves deeper into the complexities of adult friendships, acknowledging the imperfections and uncertainties that come with time.
“It’s the same group of girls,” McGee says, “only we’ve grown up now and we still don’t know what we’re doing!”
Ultimately, the series celebrates the enduring power of female friendship, even amidst dark secrets and chaotic circumstances. It’s a story about navigating life’s absurdities, embracing the uncanny, and the realization that sometimes, blowing things up is the only way to move forward.
“How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” is available on Netflix beginning February 12th.
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