New Netflix series from Derry Girls creator gets major casting update

Production is now underway.

Originally going ahead with Channel 4, Lisa McGee's comedy-thriller titled How to Get to Heaven From Belfast moved to the international streamer recently and filming is now underway in Belfast.

Roísín Gallagher (The Dry), Sinéad Keenan (Unforgotten) and Caoilfhionn Dunne (Industry) will star as three childhood friends (Saoirse, Robyn and Dara), now in their late 30s, who must piece together the mystery surrounding a fourth friend’s death.

New Netflix series from Derry Girls creator gets major casting update

Creator, writer and executive producer McGee said: “I couldn’t be more excited to start production on How To Get To Heaven From Belfast. 

"I’ve loved writing Saoirse, Robyn and Dara – three flawed, funny women who are about to embark on the most thrilling and terrifying adventure of their lives.

"A mystery full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing and make you laugh out loud. Let’s go girls!”

Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the eight-part series' synopsis reads: "Clever, chaotic TV writer Saoirse, glamorous, stressed-out mother of three Robyn and dependable, inhibited carer Dara have been a tight-knit group since school.

"Now in their late 30s, but still as close as ever, these three friends are about to embark on the most thrilling adventure of their lives.

"When an email arrives, telling them about the death of the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang, Greta, a series of eerie events at her wake set them on a dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond as each tries to piece together the truth of the past.

"A show about friendship, memory and what happens when life doesn’t turn out quite like you’d expected."

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast picked up by Netflix

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast originally got the go ahead from Channel 4. However, the network cited “changes in editorial direction” and “rising costs” as to why the series could no longer move forward there.

In a statement to Variety, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: “We loved Lisa McGee’s How to Get to Heaven From Belfast and offered a substantial license fee to be its U.K. home.

"Unfortunately due to changes in editorial direction as the development process progressed, coupled with rising costs and the recent cooling in the U.S. co-production market, it became impossible to get the right international partner and funding plan in place.

"We wish Lisa and Hat Trick Productions all the best and look forward to working together on future projects."

Derry Girls director Michael Lennox is returning alongside McGee, as well as Executive Producers Caroline Leddy and Liz Lewin. Lennox, McGee and Hat-Trick co-founder Jimmy Mulville will also serve as Exec Producers.