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We adored Derry Girls for its unforgettable characters, ‘90s vibes, and relatable take on friendship, inspired by Lisa McGee’s own experiences growing up in Ireland. Now, Lisa is back with How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a gripping new drama following three lifelong friends whose reunion after an old classmate’s death spirals into a thrilling adventure across Ireland.
The series blends mystery with dark comedy, exploring secrets, complicated friendships and unexpected twists, all brought to life by a talented Irish cast.
Roisin Gallagher as Saoirse Shaw
What has Roisin Gallagher been in? Roisin Gallagher is best known for playing the lead role of Shiv Sheridan in The Dry. Recently, she has played Laura in Harlan Coben's Lazarus. She was also DC Emer Taylor in The Fall.
Sinéad Keenan as Robyn
What has Sinéad Keenan been in? Sinéad Keenan is best known for playing DCI Jessica "Jessie" James in Unforgotten, stepping into the lead role when Nicola Walker left the series in 2021. Fans will also recognise her as Nina from Being Human. She’s appeared in several acclaimed dramas, including Little Boy Blue alongside Stephen Graham, and Three Families.
Caoilfhionn Dunne as Dara
What has Caoilfhionn Dunne been in? She was Lizzie in Love/Hate, Jackie Walsh in Industry, Brearn in Britannia, Lepori in Andor and Anne Glover in A Thousand Blows.
Tom Basden as Seb
What has Tom Basden been in? Tom Basden is widely recognised for playing Matt, the long-suffering brother-in-law of Ricky Gervais’ Tony in Netflix’s After Life. He is also the creator and one of the stars of the BBC sitcom Here We Go, and co-wrote the film The Ballad of Wallis Island with one of its stars, Tim Key.
Ardal O'Hanlon as Séamus
What has Ardal O'Hanlon been in? A comedian and actor, Ardal is known for playing Father Dougal McGuire in the 90s sitcom Father Ted and DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise. More recently, he played Dara in The Woman in the Wall (led by Ruth Wilson) and was a contestant on series 13 of Taskmaster.
Bronagh Gallagher as Brooker Bradley
What has Bronagh Gallagher been in? Irish actress and singer Bronagh Gallagher is perhaps best known for playing Trudi in the 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction. More recently, she has appeared as Carol Dennings in the sitcom Brassic, starred as Speer in the period drama Belgravia, and brought her comedic chops to roles such as Birdie in Count Arthur Strong and a guest appearance on Derry Girls.
Darragh Hand as Liam Kells
What has Darragh Hand been in? Darragh has been in Heartstopper, Netflix's coming-of-age romance series, based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman. He's also had small roles in Silent Witness and Grace.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Feeney
What has Saoirse-Monica Jackson been in? Saoirse-Monica Jackson is best known for playing Erin Quinn in Derry Girls, the role inspired by creator Lisa McGee’s own teenage experiences. She has also played Sasha in Harlan Coben's The Five, Inquisitor Sarah Willis in The Trial and Cheryl Crawford in This City is Ours.
Michelle Fairley as Margo
What has Michelle Fairley been in? She had a leading role as crime family matriarch Marian Wallace in Gangs of London. Game of Thrones fans will recognise her as Catelyn Stark, another strong-willed matriarch, this time from House Tully of Riverrun.
Emmett J. Scanlan as Owen
What has Emmett J. Scanlan been in? From soap star to drama actor, Emmett J. Scanlan is known for playing gangster Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks. He has since appeared in huge dramas such as MobLand, Peaky Blinders, Fool Me Once, Unforgotten, The Teacher, The Tower and The Fall.
James Martin as Tommy
What has James Martin been in? James Martin MBE is an Oscar-winning actor, recognised for the short film An Irish Goodbye. He played Danny Armstrong in Marcella alongside Anna Friel and Tony Delahunty in Funboys.
Josh Finan as Jason Meadows
What has Josh Finan been in? Josh Finan’s breakout role was Marco in The Responder, where he played a troubled drug addict and petty criminal. He has also appeared as Diggsy in Netflix’s stalking drama Baby Reindeer (based on a true story), Jethro in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, and most recently as philosophy teacher Dan in Waiting for the Out, a prison-based drama exploring his attempts to understand his criminal father.
Full cast of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
Roísín Gallagher (The Dry, The Lovers) as Saoirse
Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue, Unforgotten) as Robyn
Caoilfhionn Dunne (A Thousand Blows, Industry) as Dara
Tom Basden (The Ballad of Wallis Island, After Life) as Seb
Art Campion (Derry Girls, Blue Lights) as Jim
Michelle Fairley (Gangs of London, Game of Thrones) as Margo
Josh Finan (The Responder, Say Nothing) as Jason
Bronagh Gallagher (Brassic, Pulp Fiction) as Booker
Darragh Hand (Heartstopper, Dear England) as Liam
Ardal O’Hanlon (The Woman in the Wall, Death in Paradise) as Seamus
Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders, The Wheel of Time) as Greta
Emmett J. Scanlan (MobLand, Kin) as Owen
Matilda Freeman (Coronation Street, Alma's Not Normal) as Maria
How to watch
All eight, sixty-minute episodes of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast will be available to stream on Netflix from Thursday, 12th February.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking and exploring the outdoors with her dogs.