Lisa McGee Opens Up About New Netflix Series Inspiration
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has provided insights into the inspiration behind her brand new Netflix comedy-crime drama, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast. The fresh murder mystery series, which premiered on Thursday, 12th February, follows three female friends in their 30s who reunite after discovering that the fourth member of their circle has died under suspicious circumstances.
Is Saoirse Based on Lisa McGee Herself?
Leading the group is Saoirse, portrayed by Roisin Gallagher, a somewhat frazzled creator of a hugely successful detective drama whose star Marnie, played by Leila Farzad, has begun interfering with the show's production. Saoirse has grown to resent the programme's success and is keen to either steer it in a fresh direction or cancel it completely.
Some viewers have noted potential similarities between Saoirse and the series' creator, McGee, especially considering that her Channel 4 series Derry Girls is regarded as one of the most triumphant British comedies of recent years. However, in an exclusive interview, the screenwriter emphasised that she certainly does not resent the success of Derry Girls, though she acknowledges certain elements of Saoirse's career and character she could identify with.
"I think Saoirse was definitely my way into the show, and those were the scenes I wrote first when she's with her agent and having those arguments," McGee revealed. "You're right, I waited a long time to have a show that landed like Derry Girls did, so I love that show so much. But I just imagined what if you had a show that you started to tire of but it was so successful you couldn't stop making it."
She added: "I just used it as a way to vent some frustrations, it was quite fun to work on some of those scenes."
Character Complexity and Writing Style
Regarding Saoirse's character, McGee acknowledges she can certainly recognise elements of herself in the role, though she's adamant the fictional TV writer has far greater depth beneath the surface. "But, that aside, she's much more complicated than me. She's got much more going on, you know? I can be quite chaotic and scatty and everything, too, but she's like that ramped up to a hundred," she explained.
McGee continued: "Once I had her, I could find out who she could be friends with and work those guys out." Even though her new characters are almost 20 years older than the likes of Erin and Clare from Derry Girls, McGee confesses she didn't really alter her writing style for the scripts.
"There's a lot of Derry Girls DNA there, they are like the Derry Girls grown up a bit," she said. "But the things they're experiencing in life are very different, so their problems are more serious. They have a bit more responsibility."
Return to Core Friendships
McGee elaborated on the dynamics between the characters: "We're all just teenagers pretending. When you go back to that core group of friends from your home, whether it's a group of friends or some people do it with their siblings, you just revert and you're just fighting with each other."
She noted: "Because it happens so quickly with these guys, you can really see those teenage girls coming out." After wrapping up Derry Girls with its third series in 2022, fans will be pleased to learn that McGee's next project is well worth the wait.
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is now available to stream on Netflix, offering viewers a blend of comedy and crime drama with familiar elements from McGee's acclaimed previous work.
