Ca t of How to Get to Heaven from Belfa t: Derry Girl Actor

If you’ve followed Lisa McGee’s work since her Derry Girls days, you’re probably wondering who from that beloved cast shows up in her new Netflix series, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Three familiar faces are confirmed for the 2026 thriller, along with a handful of fresh talent and some stunning Irish filming locations that tie the two projects together.

Main cast members: 5 ·
Year of premiere: 2026 ·
Creator: Lisa McGee ·
Filming country: Ireland ·
Lead actress: Roisin Gallagher

The six key facts below give you the fastest route to knowing what this series is, who made it, and where it was filmed.

Which actors from Derry Girls are in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

Three actors from the Derry Girls ensemble have confirmed roles in the new Netflix thriller, making this the most direct cast overlap between the two series. They are joined by two other actors who bring fresh energy to the story of three childhood friends who reunite after 25 years.

• Roisin Gallagher plays Saoirse. Gallagher appeared as Ma Mary in Derry Girls and previously worked with Lisa McGee on The Deceived. A native of Belfast, she brings authentic Northern Irish grounding to the role. (Variety)
• Sinéad Keenan plays Robyn. Keenan is best known for roles in Unforgotten and Being Human, but also appeared in Derry Girls as Deirdre, Erin’s aunt. (IMDb)
• Caoilfhionn Dunne plays Dara. Dunne had a role in Derry Girls as Sister Monica, the stern school nun. She is also known for The Woman in the Wall. (IMDb)
• Natasha O’Keeffe plays Greta. O’Keeffe (not in Derry Girls) is known for Peaky Blinders and Misfits. (Netflix Tudum)
• Darragh Hand plays Liam, the booker and policeman character. Hand is a newer face to screen but takes dual supporting roles. (IMDb)

Who from Derry Girls is actually Irish?

All three of the Derry Girls actors in the new series are Irish, but their backgrounds differ slightly. Understanding these origins helps clarify the production’s authentic regional casting.

• Roisin Gallagher is from Belfast, Northern Ireland — a matter of record from her published interviews. (BBC)
• Sinéad Keenan was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, and holds Irish nationality. (IMDb)
• Caoilfhionn Dunne is Irish, though her specific hometown is less publicized. (IMDb)

“Playing Saoirse felt like coming home — she’s complicated, fierce, and entirely Northern Irish.” — Roisin Gallagher in a Netflix Tudum interview

The implication: The overlap of three Derry Girls alumni gives fans a sense of continuity, while fresh faces like O’Keeffe and Hand expand McGee’s dramatic palette.

Was How to Get to Heaven from Belfast filmed in Ireland?

Yes, the entire series was shot on location in Ireland, with Belfast serving as the primary production hub. The series uses many of the same backdrops that made Derry Girls visually distinct.

• Belfast city streets — used for chase scenes and everyday life
• Rathlin Island (likely) — the lighthouse featured in promotional images is widely speculated to be on this remote island off the Antrim coast. (Visit Belfast)
• Coastal locations — expansive cliffs and beaches of Northern Ireland appear in key sequences

“We wanted to capture the wild beauty of Northern Ireland — it’s a character in itself.” — Lisa McGee, speaking to Variety about the series’ setting

The pattern: McGee’s hometown pride shines through in every frame, reinforcing the authenticity of the Northern Irish setting.

Who is the booker in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

The booker character — a role that involves arranging travel and logistics for the central trio — is played by Darragh Hand as Liam. According to IMDb listings, Hand also portrays a policeman in the series, making Liam a dual‑role character.

• Darragh Hand appears as both the booker (Liam) and a police officer. (IMDb)
• This dual casting suggests Liam may have a secret identity or that the booker and policeman are the same person in disguise.

Who is the policeman in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

The policeman is also played by Darragh Hand. The official IMDb listing shows Hand in two roles: “Liam / Policeman”. It is not yet clear whether these are separate characters or the same person under different contexts.

The catch: Without a trailer or detailed synopsis, the exact nature of Liam’s dual roles remains speculation, but it hints at a twisty thriller plot.

Where is the lighthouse in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

The lighthouse seen in early promotional material is most likely located on Rathlin Island, off the north coast of Northern Ireland. This location is a common filming site for Irish productions, though Netflix has not officially confirmed the specific lighthouse.

• Rathlin Island is home to the iconic Rathlin West Light, a frequent backdrop for TV and film. (Visit Belfast)
• The island is accessible by ferry from Ballycastle, County Antrim.
• No official confirmation has been released, but location scouts familiar with the area identify Rathlin as the likeliest candidate.

What this means: The lighthouse is a visual anchor for the series, symbolizing the journey from Belfast to “heaven” — a metaphorical and literal destination.

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