
Like many successful creators, Lisa McGee first gained attention with a unique comedy series rooted in her own life. Derry Girls, set in her hometown of Derry, Northern Ireland, before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, brilliantly combined the everyday experiences of teenagers with the serious realities of living during The Troubles. Now, McGee returns with a crime drama, which will inevitably be compared to Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters. Her new Netflix series, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, blends the complex female relationships and stylish clothing of Bad Sisters with the fast-paced, distinctly Irish humor of Derry Girls. It’s both a move into the crime genre and a playful take on it. While the plot gets a little complicated near the end and the mix of humor and suspense isn’t always perfect, McGee’s clever approach to a familiar genre, combined with her talent for comedy, dialogue, and creating memorable characters, makes the show thoroughly enjoyable. Even if you’re tired of mystery stories, it’s well worth watching.