Derry Girls boss Lisa McGee making thriller comedy

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Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has lined up a new comedy series for Channel 4.

The writer is re-teaming with the channel behind Derry Girls for How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, a sitcom with a thriller edge about friends reuniting to solve a mystery.

The series is based around three former teenage friends, now in their 30s, receiving shocking news that one of their former classmates has died in tragic fashion.

lisa mcgee
Antony Jones/BAFTA - Getty Images

Related: BAFTA winner Derry Girls' Siobhan McSweeney reflects on her role as Sister Michael

Successful writer Saoirse, stressed mother-of-three Robyn and full-time carer Dara reunite for their late friend's wake, only to discover there are some dark secrets behind the sad death.

The trio are suddenly thrust into the role of amateur detectives in a case that takes them from Belfast to the wilderness of Iceland in search for answers.

McGee teased: "I feel so incredibly lucky to be making another show for the phenomenal Channel 4 and to be doing it with Hat Trick Productions again and the creative team behind Derry Girls, the mighty Liz Lewin and Caroline Leddy, is just a dream. I've wanted to make a comedy thriller set in Northern Ireland for SUCH a long time. I cannot wait to share these flawed funny women with everyone.”

Channel 4 has ordered eight 60-minute episodes of How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, which will unveil casting and additional information as production gets closer.

lisa mcgee
Jeff Spicer - Getty Images

Related: Derry Girls and Ted Lasso stars team up for new comedy

The new commission comes on the heels of Derry Girls coming to an end in 2022, with cast member Siobhan McSweeney recently casting doubt that a movie spinoff could be in the works.

"I think the thing that makes shows great is that you want to end them, and don't ruin them by dragging them out for years and years and years," McSweeney told Digital Spy.

"So I think we've left the characters in a good place, a good place of hope, a place of peace. So why not leave them there for the time being? I see Sister Michael every time I open my eyes anyway. She's always with me."

The final season of Derry Girls had huge success at the recent BAFTA TV Awards, where McGee won Best Scripted Comedy and Siobhán McSweeney won for Best Female Comedy Performance.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast is coming soon to Channel 4.

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