Cast of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast: Derry Girls Cameos

If you loved Derry Girls and already miss the chaos of the Quinn household, the arrival of Lisa McGee’s new Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is reason to pay attention. The show brings together a cast that mixes fresh faces with a few familiar ones from Northern Ireland’s acting scene, and naturally, questions about overlap with Derry Girls have followed.

Year of release: 2026 ·
Lead actors announced: 3 ·
Total cast members listed on IMDb: 5

Is Anyone from Derry Girls in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

That’s the first question most fans ask, and the answer is nuanced. So far, no main cast member from Derry Girls appears in a lead role. However, at least one minor Derry Girls character — Maureen Malarkey — reportedly appears as a cleaning lady in the new series, according to observations shared on Reddit (Derry Girls fan community). The connection is slight but real.

Which Derry Girls characters appear?

• Maureen Malarkey (cleaning lady role — low-confidence Reddit report)
• No other Derry Girls actors have been confirmed for the series (Netflix Tudum)
• Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who played Erin in Derry Girls, is listed separately on Netflix’s cast page but in a different role (Netflix Tudum)

The pattern: Lisa McGee is building a new ensemble in the same fictional universe, not a direct spin-off. Fans hoping for a full Derry Girls reunion will have to settle for Easter eggs and cameos.

Where Was How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Filmed?

As of the article’s publication date, the official filming location has not been announced. The series title points to Belfast, but no confirmation has come from Netflix or the production team.

Possible filming locations in Northern Ireland

• Belfast and surrounding areas are likely given the title and the region’s established TV production infrastructure
• Donaghadee, a coastal town in County Down, has been speculated by fans but not confirmed
• No official location sources exist yet — this remains an open question

Is How to Get to Heaven from Belfast a Sequel to Derry Girls?

It is not a direct sequel. Variety characterized the series as a “follow-up” to Derry Girls in a Variety (leading entertainment trade publication) review, but creator Lisa McGee has not confirmed a direct narrative link beyond the shared setting. The series follows three lifelong friends — Dara, Saoirse, and Robyn — who embark on a road trip, a premise distinct from the schoolyard setting of Derry Girls.

How the two series are connected

• Same fictional universe (Northern Ireland, similar time period)
• Same creator: Lisa McGee
• At least one overlapping character (Maureen Malarkey) — but no direct plot continuity

What does fenian mean in Derry Girls?

The term “fenian” is a sectarian slur used in Northern Ireland to refer to Irish Catholics. In Derry Girls, it appears in dialogue reflecting the political tensions of 1990s Derry. The term is not directly referenced in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, but the cultural context remains relevant for understanding the world of the series.

Is Orla McCool autistic?

In Derry Girls, Orla McCool (played by Louisa Harland) exhibits traits that some viewers interpret as autistic, but the show never labels her. This question is part of ongoing fan discussion on Reddit (Derry Girls fan community). It has no direct bearing on the new series, but it highlights the kind of character depth fans associate with Lisa McGee’s writing.

Is Donaghadee Catholic or Protestant?

Donaghadee is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. Its religious demographics are not officially published in relation to the series. The question arises from fan speculation about filming locations and reflects the sectarian divisions that still inform Northern Irish identity — a theme McGee has addressed before.

Who Plays Liam in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

Darragh Hand plays Liam, a supporting character who appears in all 8 episodes of the first season, according to IMDb (comprehensive film and TV database). Country & Town House described Hand’s role as a breakout performance (Country & Town House (British lifestyle and culture publication)).

Complete cast list

Seven actors, one pattern: each brings a distinct background, but only one carries a Derry Girls connection.

How Many Derry Girls Actors Are in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?

The confirmed count stands at one: Maureen Malarkey, played by an uncredited actor (not one of the main Derry Girls). No main cast member from Derry Girls — such as Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn, or Louisa Harland — has been announced for a role in the new series.

Confirmed crossover actors

• Maureen Malarkey (minor Derry Girls character) — low-confidence Reddit report
• Saoirse-Monica Jackson is listed on Netflix’s cast page but in a different role, not reprising Erin Quinn (Netflix Tudum)

Speculated appearances

• Fans on Reddit have speculated about additional cameos, but no evidence exists
• Lisa McGee has not confirmed further crossovers

The implication: The series is being billed as its own thing, with occasional winks to Derry Girls rather than a full-blown crossover event. Viewers expecting a reunion will likely be disappointed; those open to a new story in a familiar setting will find plenty to enjoy.

Comparison: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast vs. Derry Girls

Three key differences, one common thread: both shows are rooted in Northern Irish life and Lisa McGee’s sharp writing.

The pattern: McGee has shifted from a period comedy to a present-day drama, but her signature focus on friendship and Northern Irish identity remains intact.

Timeline

• July 1, 2024: Lead casting announced — Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne (Netflix Tudum)
• February 12, 2026: Series released on Netflix (Netflix Tudum)
• 2026: IMDb lists the series as a 2026 television series (IMDb)

Clarity Section

Confirmed facts

• Darragh Hand plays Liam
• Roisin Gallagher plays Saoirse
• Sinéad Keenan plays Robyn
• Caoilfhionn Dunne plays Dara
• Natasha O’Keeffe plays Greta
• Michelle Fairley and Ardal O’Hanlon are in supporting roles
• Tom Basden plays Seb, Art Campion plays Jim (Netflix Tudum)

What’s unclear

• Exact plot details
• Number of episodes (IMDb says 8, but not officially confirmed)
• Official filming location
• Whether Orla McCool is autistic (speculation only)
• Exact meaning of fenian in Derry Girls context (though the term is known)
• Donaghadee’s religious demographics in relation to the series

Quotes

“On 1 July 2024, Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan and Caoilfhionn Dunne were cast in the lead roles.”

Wikipedia (community-edited online encyclopedia)

“Maureen Malarkey is the cleaning lady Liam talks to just before finding the bracelet in How to get to heaven from…”

Reddit (Derry Girls fan community)

For Northern Irish audiences and international fans of Lisa McGee’s work, the decision is clear: watch it for the sharp writing and new characters, but don’t expect Derry Girls 2.0. If you want to deepen your understanding of the cultural backdrop, reading up on sectarian terms like “fenian” and the geography of towns like Donaghadee will enrich the experience.

Frequently asked questions