How to Get to Heaven from Belfast cast on how “shared trauma” unfolds in new mystery series

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Lisa McGee, the creator of Derry Girls, has a new comedy-drama called How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, and it’s expected to be a hit with many. Though the show centers around a mystery, the three main characters are also dealing with personal struggles.

When Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara learn of their childhood friend’s death, they begin to suspect something isn’t right. This discovery sends them on a journey across Ireland, where they’re forced to revisit old memories and deal with personal issues they’ve been avoiding.

How do we connect with these characters emotionally, considering they all seem to be dealing with personal issues even before starting their quest for the truth?

We asked the actors about this, and in a conversation with TopMob, Gallagher explained that the three main characters are completely avoiding the issues they’re facing in their personal lives.

Something Lisa said early on really struck me: these women can’t move forward until they understand what happened in the past, or discover the truth about it.

I think that really resonates with Saoirse’s experience. She’s caught up in the busy cycle that many women in their forties face – balancing many responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next or how to move forward.

Gallagher explained that things are moving incredibly quickly, especially for Saoirse. She feels lost and isn’t fully aware of what’s happening around her, leading her to make impulsive decisions like getting married. He’s not sure if these choices are the best for her right now.

I’m not sure she’s fully considered everything. It’s funny because she often forgets to wear her engagement ring, which seems to show she’s not always thinking about it. That’s a fun dynamic to explore.

Keenan, who stars in Unforgotten, described Robyn as someone who appears to have it all – a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, and three energetic children. However, he believes that beneath the surface, she’s searching for something more in her life. Someone who didn’t know her well might initially see a perfect life, but those close to her understand there’s a void.

Lisa once told me she dreamed of the traditional life – a good marriage, a beautiful home, the whole nine yards. But even with all that, she felt like something was still missing, like she wasn’t truly happy. It struck me that she and the others were really connected by what they’d all been through, bound together by a difficult, shared past.

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Dunne also shared that Dara is challenged throughout the series to confront difficult truths from those closest to her, revealing how stagnant her life has become. She’s pushed to leave her comfort zone and the familiar routines she’s built, even if it means upsetting her mother.

It’s hard to say exactly how this storyline will impact her character next season, but we’re starting to see a change. She’s becoming more courageous and open. I think she really needed these people back in her life, because they’re the only ones who can truly give her honest feedback.

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How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is available to stream on Netflix.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-12 17:34