Netflix’s brilliant must-watch mystery How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is more grownup Derry Girls

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Lisa McGee, the creator of the new show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, calls it a funny murder mystery (according to BBC News). It might seem like an unusual combination – a bit like oil and water – and that initial feeling is probably right.

The show immediately focuses on the three main female characters. And the idea of ‘driving’ is central, starting with Robyn, played by Sinéad Keenan, who we first see in her car, desperately banging her head against the steering wheel to escape the noise of her arguing children.

This new series from the creator of Derry Girls feels like a natural step forward, reflecting how its audience has matured. We’ve moved past teenage worries to things like school drop-offs, managing messages, and even navigating midlife changes and office drama. Yet, our past experiences still influence us, and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast beautifully captures that balance between then and now.

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Similar to Derry Girls, this show centers on strong friendships. We quickly meet Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), an ambitious but somewhat disorganized professional, and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), a thoughtful woman – both of whom went to school with Robyn. Beyond typical teenage experiences, these women share a secret from their past – something they did together to protect their friend Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe).

Greta has passed away. The news is delivered via email to her friends, who are now in their early thirties and focused on their own lives. This happens within the first seven minutes of the story, after which the film, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, truly begins, launching both the characters and the audience on a compelling journey.

This eight-episode series is unique and doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre, which might feel a little disorienting at first. It takes a while to get used to, but it’s worth persevering with. Once you stop trying to categorize it and simply enjoy the experience, you’ll find it’s truly excellent.

Like any good mystery, the story revolves around a central puzzle that will keep you engaged. While it doesn’t rely on shocking twists and turns – so fans of authors like Harlan Coben might find it less twisty – How to Get to Heaven from Belfast doesn’t need them. The writing is clever enough to avoid relying on such devices, and thankfully, it doesn’t try.

The series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast uses many elements of the thriller genre, and even dips into horror. Emmett J Scanlan, famous for his roles in shows like Kin and MobLand, gives a genuinely creepy and unsettling performance as the grieving husband. The atmosphere changes dramatically the moment the group of old friends enter the family’s house, creating a shocking and immediate impact.

On top of everything else, Bronagh Gallagher’s character, Booker, is a mysterious and resourceful figure who adds a surprising, classic gangster-movie vibe to the show.

However, the story is sprinkled with genuinely funny lines that lighten the mood and remind you to enjoy yourself, even during tense moments.

I’m a big fan of McGee’s writing – she just gets people! Her characters are always so real, funny, and wonderfully flawed. What I especially love is how she puts women at the heart of her stories, giving them the space to be fully developed and complex. In this latest work, every female character really shines; you genuinely connect with at least one of them because they feel so authentic and layered.

It should be clear that How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a truly unique show. Knowing that Lisa McGee worked with many of the same people who made Derry Girls, comparisons are natural – and you can definitely see the influence of that award-winning Channel 4 sitcom in its style and spirit.

The show Derry Girls is especially remembered for its fantastic music. It brilliantly used songs – from classic Take That performances to the best of The Cranberries – to evoke specific memories, feelings, and moments in time.

Similarly, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast feels like a greatest hits collection for Spice Girls fans and a nostalgic trip for anyone who grew up with the Now That’s What I Call Music! albums. The show brilliantly transitions from songs like Eiffel 65’s “Blue (da ba dee, da ba daa)” to powerful Celine Dion ballads, and that’s something the series should be really proud of – we mean that in the best way possible.

The show once again features a hilariously blunt and foul-mouthed nun in charge of the school, though she doesn’t quite reach the iconic status of Sister Michael from Derry Girls (who is arguably one of the greatest comedic characters ever written for television).

The show’s pacing is occasionally uneven. Some episodes feel stretched out and don’t quite fill the full runtime. For instance, a key event in the second episode could have worked better as the finale of the first, creating a more impactful start to the series.

We can easily overlook any minor imperfections in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. It’s precisely the kind of fresh, inventive, and daring drama we’ve been hoping to see from Netflix – a show willing to take chances and explore new ideas.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is streaming now on Netflix.

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2026-02-12 10:50