'Derry Girls' Creator's New Project Is an Addictive Mystery Thriller With 91% on RT

Lisa McGee rose to fame with Derry Girls, a dramedy about schoolgirls growing up during the height of the Northern Ireland conflict. The series ended in 2022, leaving fans eager for a new project from the talented screenwriter.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast isn't just a return for McGee, but also a confident step into new genre territory. Instead of a coming-of-age teen drama, McGee presents a detective thriller with elements of dark comedy.

What Is 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' About?

Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara haven't spoken to Greta in twenty years. However, news of her death forces them to leave Belfast and travel to County Donegal. Strange things begin to happen as the women arrive for the funeral.

Grieving relatives act suspiciously, the circumstances surrounding Greta's death remain mysterious, and the women realize that their pasts contain a dark secret they'd rather forget.

Saoirse is a successful crime writer, Robyn is a mother of three on the brink of a nervous breakdown, and Dara is a recluse caring for her ailing mother. The investigation becomes a way not only to solve the mystery of their friend's death, but also to escape their own crises.

'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' Is a Perfect Pick for Fans of 'Derry Girls'

Although the two series have little plot overlap, Lisa McGee's signature style is recognizable from the very first frame. There's the same love for rich, unique characters, the same warm portrayal of female friendship, and the same Northern Irish countryside.

And, of course, there's the same humor – ironic and sometimes dark, yet always disarming. The heroines find themselves in terrifying situations, hiding from killers and solving dangerous mysteries, yet they retain the ability to joke and tease each other.

Lisa McGee once again proves that she knows how to tell stories about women honestly, humorously, and poignantly without pathos or excessive sentimentality.

'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat Until the Finale

With its numerous plot twists, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a challenging show to discuss without spoilers. The creators skillfully dispense information, introducing a new detail or hook in each episode that makes you want to immediately watch the next one.

Gradually, flashbacks reveal the history of the foursome's relationships, explaining their behavior patterns and the nature of their traumas.

At the same time, the series remains primarily comedic in tone – even in the most tense moments, the creators find ways to lighten the mood with humor.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a small Irish gem that doesn't overreach but succeeds perfectly. It captivates, makes you laugh, makes you care, and reminds you that true friendship never grows old or dies.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'?

• How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has 91% from critics and 75% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.4/10.

Where to Watch 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast'?

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is available to stream on Netflix.