How To Get To Heaven From Belfast features a star-studded cast
The offbeat series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has claimed the number one position on the Netflix streaming chart and viewers are eager to learn more about the star-studded cast and their lives away from the cameras.
The comedy thriller, which is the creation of Derry Girls writer, Lisa McGee, features celebrated Irish actor Emmett J. Scanlan as the spouse of vanished woman, Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe).
The 47 year old performer, who is recognised for portraying antagonistic characters, is noted for his parts as DC Glenn Martin in The Fall and Jimmy Kinsella in the gang drama, Kin.
His most prominent role, nevertheless, was as Brendan Brady in the soap Hollyoaks, who emerged as one of the programme’s most beloved characters during its transformation in 2010.
It was during this role that he encountered his future spouse, actress Claire Cooper, who was appearing as Jacqui McQueen, reports Belfast Live.
Cooper, 45, made her on-screen debut in Hollyoaks in 2006 and portrayed Jacqui for numerous years, leaving the series in 2013. That year, she secured a British Soap Award for Best Actress.
Scanlan likewise departed the role of the infamous bad boy in 2015 and he and Cooper wed two years afterwards in New York City.
They share two children together, with Scanlan having another daughter from a prior relationship.
Actress Cooper most recently portrayed Mary Hardacre in the Channel 5 historical drama, The Hardacres, and she is recognised for her role as Sister Anne in Knightfall.
She was also a British champion gymnast, specialising in acrobatics, but after a decade competing in the discipline, she turned her focus to drama and studied at Guildford School of Acting.
In December 2025, Scanlan posted to Instagram sharing a heartwarming wedding video as he reflected on a decade of marriage, writing: “10 years ago today we got married in the greatest city in the world.
“10 years ago today we laughed, we cried, we loved…. We still f****** love. 10 years ago today we shared one of best nights of our lives with some of the best people we will ever know.
“Now, today, only if you’re a***d, I share part of that night with you.”
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