A fresh Netflix comedy thriller, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, launches today, blending sharp humor with gripping suspense from creator Lisa McGee.
Plot Overview
Following the global success of her previous hit, McGee delivers an eight-episode series centered on three lifelong friends: Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), a screenwriter facing creative burnout; Robyn (Sinead Keenan), an overwhelmed mother of three; and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), a devout gay woman navigating personal challenges.
The trio reunites after receiving an email about the death of their estranged school friend Greta. At her wake, they discover the body isn’t hers and uncover a long-buried secret from their past. This sparks a perilous journey across Ireland, revealing deeper mysteries and testing their unbreakable bond.
Cast and Chemistry
The lead actresses deliver electric chemistry, portraying decades of friendship through bickering, digs, and reconciliations. Saoirse-Monica Jackson (from the earlier series) appears in a spoiler-free role, joined by Josh Finan as the son of a long-missing man, Emmett J. Scanlan, and Michelle Fairley.
Key Production Details
- Creator and Writer: Lisa McGee
- Executive Producers: Caroline Leddy, Liz Lewin, Jimmy Mulville, Lisa McGee, Michael Lennox
- Cast: Roisin Gallagher, Sinead Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Emmett J. Scanlan, Michelle Fairley, Josh Finan
- Runtime: 8 episodes
- Release Date: February 12
- Streaming: Netflix
Humor and Twists
Shifting from pure comedy to thriller, the show retains laugh-out-loud moments, including a Republic of Ireland policeman quipping, “It’s not like you lot to waste petrol,” mix-ups involving the IRA, Isis, or Bupa, and a chaotic funeral body retrieval. Early 2000s songs create a nostalgic soundtrack, while religious references add poignant depth, alongside a touching nod to limited choices for pregnant women at the time.
Strengths and Drawbacks
The series shines in its authentic friendships and surprises, with a massive cliffhanger finale. However, its hour-long episodes across dual timelines (2003 and present) occasionally drag, leaving some plot threads underdeveloped and prompting questions about finer details.
Verdict
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast offers hilarious quips and emotional beats but falls short of perfection. Viewers craving more adventures for these friends will eagerly await the next chapter. Stream it now on Netflix.
