Three decades of tumultuous Irish history form the backdrop of this new drama series. And if we say that span includes the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, we’re confident you can piece together what the general subject is.
How to watch Say Nothing in the UK
All nine episodes of Say Nothing are streaming in the UK exclusively on Disney+ right now.
Say Nothing: Limited Series
What is Say Nothing about?
Adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s award-winning 2018 book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, the show kicks off with with the 1972 kidnapping of Jean McConville. However it primarily follows the lives of two sisters, Dolours and Marian Price, both of stoutly republican Belfast stock (that’s Irish republican, not American republican, mind you), who take up The Cause. The complexities of the Troubles and the moral ambiguity of being a freedom fighter/terrorist are both examined, which strikes us as extremely timely given…well, a lot of things going on right now, really. The series also features real interviews with former IRA members recording for The Belfast Project.
The cast of Say Nothing
Lola Petticrew is Dolours Price, with Maxine Peake playing the older version; Hazel Doupe is Marian Price; Anthony Boyle is IRA Brendan Hughes; Josh Finan is future Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, while Michael Colgan is the older Gerry—or oul’ Gerry, if you prefer.
Say Nothing trailer
Why we’re excited about Say Nothing
Look, personally, your humble news gatherer’s family had skin in the game, so this is a must watch for us. But here’s why you should tune in: there’s been a lot of mythologizing of The Troubles on both sides, and the line between terrorist and resistance fighter is a blurry one. This series promises if not a balanced view, then at least a more clear-eyed one. And, as we noted above, the release could not be more timely—terribly, tragically timely. Expect it cop a lot of flak from republicans and loyalists alike, but give it a spin.
