Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ is the story of Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne). They are three close friends whose lives take a turn when they learn that an estranged former schoolmate of theirs has passed away. Created by Lisa McGee, the Irish comedy-thriller series follows the three friends as they travel across Ireland to solve the mystery of their friend’s death. However, they also intend to protect their own secrets, which may significantly impact their lives.
Their hilarious reunion soon turns into a twisted game of deception, where the line between truth and lies blurs. As they cross paths with hotel receptionists, cops, and unknown individuals, the narrative goes through unexpected twists. As the past and present converge, the stakes get higher and deadlier. If the themes, visual elements, and characters of the show impressed you, these shows, similar to ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ will be worthy of your time.
8. The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)
‘The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window’ revolves around Anna Whitaker (Kristen Bell), a woman challenged by alcoholism and addiction to pills. She is convinced that she saw a murder across the street and calls the cops. However, due to her addictions, her version of events is questioned by the cops and her friends. Facing self-doubt and confusion, Anna begins to wonder if she really witnessed a murder or not. Amidst all this, she also deals with her complex feelings for a handsome neighbor.
With the mystery getting more treacherous, Anna must find a way to get to the truth before her mind succumbs to pressure and obsession. Created by Rachel Ramras, Hugh Davidson, and Larry Dorf, the Netflix crime comedy-drama show is a wild ride. It captures the essence of ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ through its portrayal of doubt, chaos, death, murder, and uncertainty through the experiences of a female character.
7. The ‘Burbs (2026-)
In ‘The ‘Burbs,’ the quiet and seemingly peaceful life of Ashfield Place, a suburb of Hinkley Hills, is shattered when new parents, Rob (Jack Whitehall) and Samira Fisher (Keke Palmer), move into the neighborhood. They live in Rob’s parents’ house, and Samira’s attention goes towards a mysterious man who starts living in an old abandoned Victorian house across the street. Local rumors circulate about the house, and Samira teams up with her neighbors to investigate its secrets.
Her amateur investigation soon leads to darker secrets that may ruin the neighborhood’s image as one of the safest spaces in America. As the danger escalates, Samira must do everything in her power to protect her family and her community. Created by Celeste Hughey and based on the eponymous film directed by Joe Dante, the Peacock comedy-drama series is a riveting story. Akin to ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ it focuses on local mysteries, strong female characters, and the convergence of past and present.
6. Am I Being Unreasonable? (2022-)
Created by Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli, Hulu’s ‘Am I Being Unreasonable?’ is the tale of Nic (Daisy May Cooper), a woman who faces loneliness and isolation. Her son Ollie (Lenny Rush) and her husband Dan (Dustin Demri-Burns) do what they can to cheer her up, but she is depressed due to the disappearance of her cat. When a mysterious woman named Jen (Selin Hizli) moves into the neighborhood, Nic forms an unlikely bond with her. However, both of them hide secrets from each other. When doubts arise about Jen’s real identity and purpose, Nic must navigate a puzzling maze to make sense of her new reality. The British comedy thriller series, like ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ explores women hiding secrets, the challenges they face, and the cost of deception.
5. Only Murders in the Building (2021-)
Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building’ follows the lives of Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). The three are murder-mystery enthusiasts living in the Arconia, a huge apartment building in NYC. When a murder threatens the peace of the Arconia, fate brings the three together as they work as a team to solve it. They start a titular podcast to inform other murder enthusiasts about their findings on the case. As the unlikely trio continues to obsess over the case, they face potentially fatal challenges that could derail the entire plan and put the residents of the Arconia in greater danger. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, the comedy-drama show shares similarities with ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ due to its portrayal of claustrophobic mystery, death, the value of friendship, and the chaos of obsession.
4. Search Party (2016-2022)
‘Search Party’ revolves around the complex relationship between Dory Sief (Alia Shawkat), Portia Davenport (Meredith Hagner), Elliott Goss (John Early), and Andrew “Drew” Gardner (John Reynolds). The TBS comedy series chronicles their lives as they get embroiled in a mystery related to the inexplicable disappearance of their friend, Chantal Witherbottom (Clare McNulty). The four friends, while dealing with their own silliness and insecurities, get into hilarious situations in their quest to find the girl. They encounter strangers, secrets, and unexpected situations as they chaotically try to complete the challenge. Created by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter, the show reflects the spirit of ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ through its comedic approach to crime, its commentary on purpose, and its portrayal of secrets.
3. Bad Sisters (2022-)
Apple TV+’s ‘Bad Sisters’ follows the trials and tribulations of the Garvey sisters, namely Eva (Sharon Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson). Their lives are turned upside down by the unexpected death of Grace’s abusive and controlling husband, John Paul, which triggers a life insurance investigation. However, as the past comes into the picture, it is revealed that Grace’s sisters, without her knowledge, planned to murder John and save her from his abusive behavior.
In the present, suspicions arise about the events surrounding John’s death, which lands the sisters in an unpredictable scenario. As the community, the cops, and the insurance agents search for the truth, the siblings must find a way to protect each other. Based on the Belgian series ‘Clan, created by Malin-Sarah Gozin, the Irish comedy-thriller series is a vivid portrayal of sisterhood. Created by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer, the show’s navigation of female bonds, unspeakable secrets, and the consequences of death connect it to the world and characters of ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.’
2. Deadloch (2023-)
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Deadloch’ is set in the seemingly quiet Tasmanian town of Deadloch, where the discovery of a local man’s body on the beach disrupts the annual Winter Feastival. The investigation is led by the meticulous Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and the reckless outsider Detective Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami). Along with Constable Abby Matsuda and Officer Sven Alderman, Dulcie and Eddie dive deep into the mystery of the body.
Their contrasting styles clash as they navigate dangerous individuals and the community’s secrets. As suspicions arise that a killer may be at large, the cops are pushed to the limits, while also encountering hilarious situations. Created by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, the Australian comedy crime show complements ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ by exploring small-town issues, unexpected mysteries, strong female characters, and the cost of secrets.
1. Bodkin (2024-)
In ‘Bodkin,’ American podcaster Gilbert Power, London-based investigative journalist Dove Maloney, and aspiring journalist Emmy Sizergh travel to the Irish town of Bodkin to investigate a mystery. Each of them tries to redeem their careers and achieve some sense of meaning by finding out the truth about the disappearance of three people in the town more than two decades ago. They learn about an event called Samhain, which is an Irish celebration of the dead souls.
As they try to connect the dots between the event, the disappearances, and the secrets of the community, they face inexplicable threats to their investigation. With time running out, the trio must find the strength to overcome the hurdles and uncover the truth. The Netflix comedy thriller show is a wild ride of chaos. Created by Jez Scharf, the Irish series, like ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,’ follows a trio investigating a case amid the secrets and beauty of the titular town. Both shows are tonally and visually similar and also deal intricately with the theme of obsession.
Read More: Shows Like His & Hers You Must See
