How to Get to Heaven from Belfast: A Masterclass in Irish Dark Comedy and Mystery

When Derry Girls concluded, it left a void in television that felt impossible to fill. The specific blend of frantic energy, heart-wrenching sincerity, and rapid-fire Northern Irish wit was unique to creator Lisa McGee. Now, in 2026, McGee has returned, but she isn’t taking us back to school. Instead, she is taking us to a wake. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, premiering on Netflix on February 12, 2026, is a mature, darker, and infinitely more dangerous evolution of McGee’s storytelling.

Described by critics as “Gonzo Noir,” this eight-part series is a genre-bending rollercoaster that refuses to be categorized. Is it a crime thriller? A psychological drama? A laugh-out-loud comedy? It is all three, wrapped in the misty, rugged landscape of Ireland. Starring a powerhouse trio—Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne—the show explores the terrifying complexity of female friendship when the innocence of youth has long since evaporated. For the audience on fmovies.tr who crave intelligent storytelling with a bite, this is undoubtedly the first essential binge-watch of the year.

The Plot: A Funeral, A Mystery, and Three Messy Lives

The narrative kicks off with a catalyst as old as time: a death in the community. Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe), an old school friend who had drifted away from the group, dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. This event forces a reunion between three women who were once inseparable but are now estranged, held together only by the ghosts of their shared history.

We are introduced to the trio, each battling their own mid-life crisis. Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher) is the wild card—a successful but chaotic writer who medicates her life with alcohol and sarcasm. Robyn (Sinéad Keenan) is the “put-together” one, a stressed mother whose picture-perfect suburban life is crumbling under the weight of anxiety. And Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne) is the stoic carer, a woman who has sacrificed her own happiness for her family and is simmering with a quiet, dangerous rage.

The Cross-Country Odyssey

Attending Greta’s wake was supposed to be a simple act of respect. However, the women quickly discover that Greta has left behind a trail of breadcrumbs—unfinished business that implicates them all. What starts as a funeral visit spirals into a chaotic adventure. They find themselves in possession of dangerous secrets that powerful people want to keep hidden.

Forced to flee Belfast, the trio embarks on a road trip across rural Ireland in a battered van. Along the way, they must dodge local gangsters, decipher Greta’s cryptic messages, and, most terrifying of all, confront the truth about why their friendship fell apart years ago. The physical journey mirrors their emotional one: rugged, unpredictable, and fraught with peril.

Creator’s Vision: Lisa McGee’s “Gonzo Noir”

Lisa McGee has stated that she wanted to write something “a bit unhinged,” and she has succeeded. The genius of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast lies in its tone. Most thrillers take themselves incredibly seriously, while most comedies lack real stakes. McGee blends the two effortlessly.

The Writing Style: The dialogue is razor-sharp. Characters speak in the distinctive rhythm of Northern Ireland—fast, cutting, and hilarious. Even in moments of high tension, like a car chase or a standoff, the characters are bickering about mundane things like snacks or forgotten birthdays. This grounding in reality makes the thriller elements feel even more visceral.

Visual Direction: Director Michael Lennox, who also helmed Derry Girls, brings a cinematic eye to the series. The move to Netflix (after the show was acquired from Channel 4) is evident in the production value. The cinematography captures the haunting beauty of the Irish coast, utilizing the gloomy weather to set a mood that is atmospheric and oppressive. The use of shadows and wide shots emphasizes the isolation of the three women as they traverse the landscape.

The Cast: An Acting Tour de Force

A character-driven drama lives or dies by its casting, and this ensemble is nothing short of spectacular.

• Roisin Gallagher as Saoirse: Gallagher (The Lovers) is magnetic. She plays Saoirse as a woman who is simultaneously the most fun person in the room and a complete trainwreck. Her vulnerability shines through the cracks in her armor. She is the engine of the show, driving the chaos with a manic energy that is captivating.
• Sinéad Keenan as Robyn: Keenan is a master of nervous tension. Fans of Unforgotten know she can do heavy drama, but here she flexes her comedic muscles. Her portrayal of Robyn captures the specific neurosis of a woman trying to maintain control while her world burns down. Her facial expressions alone are worth the subscription price.
• Caoilfhionn Dunne as Dara: Dunne (Industry) has the hardest job, playing the quietest character. Dara is the moral center, but also the most mysterious. Dunne delivers a performance of subtle power; when she finally explodes, it is a moment of pure television gold.
• Supporting Legends: The cast is bolstered by Irish acting royalty. Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) is terrifying as Margo, a figure from the criminal underworld. Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted) brings a familiar warmth that is subverted by the dark tone of the show. Emmett J. Scanlan adds a brooding intensity as Owen.

Critical Review: Friendship, Grief, and Adrenaline

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is being compared to Bad Sisters and Killing Eve, but it carves out its own unique identity. It is less polished than Killing Eve and grittier than Bad Sisters.

The Reality of Female Friendship

The core theme of the series is not the mystery, but the friendship. McGee explores the idea that childhood friends know you better than anyone—which means they know exactly how to hurt you. The dynamics between Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara are messy and toxic, yet deeply loving. They fight, they scream, but they would die for each other. This portrayal of female friendship—warts and all—feels incredibly refreshing in a landscape often dominated by sanitized relationships.

The Mystery Box

While the character drama is paramount, the thriller plot is robust. The mystery of Greta’s death is well-constructed, with twists that feel earned rather than cheap. The show manages to keep the audience guessing until the final episode. The “road trip” structure keeps the pacing brisk, ensuring that the story never stagnates in one location for too long.

Cultural Specificity

Just like Derry Girls, the show is unapologetically Irish. It doesn’t dilute the slang or the cultural references for a global audience. This authenticity gives the show a texture and flavor that generic thrillers lack. Belfast is not just a setting; it is a character, with its history of conflict and its distinct dark humor seeping into every frame.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a triumph. It is smart, funny, scary, and heartbreaking all at once. Lisa McGee has proven that she can graduate from teen sitcoms to high-stakes adult drama without losing her unique voice.

The chemistry between Gallagher, Keenan, and Dunne is electric, anchoring the wilder plot points in genuine emotion. If you are looking for a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat while making you laugh at the absurdity of death, this is it. It is a wild ride through the Emerald Isle that you won’t want to end.