Belfasts

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a dark comedy thriller series topping Netflix charts, and here’s everything you need to know about the actor who plays Liam

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast fans are only just realising where they have seen Darragh Hand before.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is already making waves on Netflix, with the dark comedy thriller featuring an impressive cast.

The brainchild of Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee, the series follows three friends as they delve into the mysterious death of a former classmate.

Their own tumultuous personal lives prove to be obstacles as they encounter a host of intriguing characters during their journey across Ireland. Fans are just now recognising one of the stars from previous roles.

Emerging star Darragh Hand portrays Liam, a Garda police officer who comes to the trio’s aid when they find themselves stranded on a road.

Liam plays a pivotal role in the investigation that forms the crux of the plot, and here’s everything you need to know about the actor’s past roles.

Darragh Hand is an Irish-Jamaican actor who has featured in big-name shows like Netflix’s Heartstopper and ITV’s detective series, Grace.

His television debut was as Kai Davis in the BBC’s long-standing drama, Silent Witness. He then landed the role of Leo in the third season of Grace.

Viewers might recognise him as Michael Holden from the third season of Netflix’s romantic drama, Heartstopper.

In his cameo in Radio Silence, Michael came across as geeky and awkward for an athlete, owing to his height and his thick-framed glasses.

The actor has also made his mark in theatre, with acclaimed performances in Dear England, Richard III, and The Land of Lost Content.

In conversation with Bustle, the 27 year old Olivier-nominated performer from Croydon discussed his Heartstopper role and what viewers can anticipate from the forthcoming film.

He revealed: “The fans of that show are some of the most loyal, dedicated fans I’ve ever experienced. It means so much to them as an audience, so I don’t know if there’s much I can give away.

“But it is the final instalment, so we will be saying goodbye to these characters, which is sad and beautiful – especially for a lot of the other cast [members who have] grown up with this show.”

He continued: “I will always be so grateful for Heartstopper because it introduced me into the TV/film realm in the best way possible. Even down to the comics – my character, Michael Holden, looks a bit different from how I look.

“And I would see people online absolutely crushing any narrative of, like, Oh, this is not how he looked in the comics. This is not how his hair was in the comics. They really vouched for me.

“They genuinely had my back, which was a bizarre but lovely thing. For that to be my introduction was beautiful.”

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is on Netflix

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