Lisa McGee Confronts Creative Pressure with New Netflix Thriller
Following the monumental success of Derry Girls, acclaimed writer Lisa McGee has opened up about the expectations surrounding her latest project. The Irish screenwriter, 45, whose semi-autobiographical comedy about teenagers in 1990s Derry became a cultural phenomenon, is now venturing into the mystery genre with How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
From Derry Girls to a New Genre
Derry Girls, which aired from 2018 to 2022, shattered records as Northern Ireland's most-watched series, averaging 2.5 million viewers per episode and earning an Emmy Award. McGee admits feeling the weight of creating a worthy successor but found relief in shifting genres. "I wanted to write something I really wanted to watch – and I love the mystery genre," she explained in an interview. "Obviously it has a lot of Derry Girls DNA, but I wanted a genre shift. I think if I was to have gone on and done a straight comedy again, I would have felt more pressure."
She highlighted that while the final episode of Derry Girls carried immense pressure, her new series presents different challenges due to its complex, hour-long mystery format. "I don't feel any pressure about it being compared to Derry Girls as I think it's different enough. But I do just feel pressure that I hope people like it, which is just the way I always feel," McGee laughed.
Inspiration from a Haunting School Visit
The eight-part thriller follows three best friends in their 30s—Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara—who reunite after their estranged high school friend's death, plunging them into a dark and hilarious odyssey across Ireland. McGee's inspiration struck during a visit to her abandoned convent school, where ghost-hunters had sparked her curiosity. "I went in and it was like the girls had walked out one day and never come back. There were scarves hanging up and still writing on the blackboard but still weeds growing over all this stuff," she recalled. "It was so cool, but so creepy, and I had this feeling that I was going to bump into myself as a schoolgirl."
Ironically, the trip ended with McGee being reprimanded by a nun for trespassing, a moment she quipped showed "nothing changes."
Navigating Humor and History
Set between 2003 and the present, the series references The Troubles with sharp, close-to-the-bone jokes. McGee noted that dark humor served as a coping mechanism during the conflict, making it natural to weave such elements into her work. Initially, she was hesitant to tackle Troubles-related topics, finding them boring as a teenager, but Derry Girls allowed her to educate global audiences while infusing humor. "I remember writing that first series and was shocked realising how many people didn't know certain details of that time," she said. "I really kind of started of leaning in then."
Despite concerns about offense, only one complaint ever reached her—a quip about Protestants hating Abba, which the Orange Order humorously disputed on social media.
No Plans for a Derry Girls Revival
With Derry Girls concluding in 2022 against the backdrop of the Good Friday Agreement, fans have speculated about a revival. However, McGee has firmly stated she has no current plans to continue the story. "I don't want to at the minute. I guess you never know, but for me I think that's it and I'm done. It was a really nice way to end it I thought," she explained.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is now available for streaming on Netflix, marking McGee's bold step into thriller territory while honoring her comedic roots.
