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Say Nothing (TV series)

From Alfawiki
Say Nothing
Company typeLimited series
IndustryTelevision production
FoundedNovember 14, 2024; 23 months ago (2024-11-14)
FounderJoshua Zetumer
ProductsHistorical drama television series
ParentFX Productions, Color Force

Say Nothing is a 2024 historical drama limited series developed by Joshua Zetumer and produced under FX Productions. It debuted on November 14, 2024, via FX on Hulu. The show is an adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's 2018 book, which explores four decades marked by Northern Ireland's Troubles. Say Nothing received widespread critical praise and was honored with a Peabody Award.

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of Belfast during the Troubles spanning the 1970s to the 1990s, the narrative centers on individuals connected to the Provisional Irish Republican Army and probes into the cases of the Disappeared, with particular emphasis on the murder of Jean McConville. The storyline integrates testimony from the Belfast Project and references significant incidents such as the 1973 Old Bailey bombing and the hunger strike undertaken by sisters Dolours and Marian.

Cast

Production

This limited series is based on Patrick Radden Keefe's acclaimed book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, which investigates the kidnapping and killing of Jean McConville, a widow with ten children. The executive production team includes Edward McDonnell, Monica Levinson, Joshua Zetumer—who also serves as showrunner—and Michael Lennox directing. The nine-episode project is produced by Color Force, headed by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.

In February 2024, lead roles were announced with Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, Josh Finan, and Maxine Peake joining the cast. Supporting actors include Michael Colgan, Kerri Quinn, Stuart Graham, Laura Donnelly, Rory Kinnear, Amy Molloy, Helen Behan, Damien Molony, and Judith Roddy.

Principal photography commenced in May 2023 around Liverpool’s Walton district. Additional filming locations throughout August and September 2023 included Belfast, London, Sheffield, and Shepton Mallet Prison near Bath.

Broadcast

The series premiered globally on November 14, 2024, streaming on Disney+ across the UK and other territories, while airing on Hulu in the United States.

Within the narrative, Gerry Adams is portrayed as a senior figure within the IRA—a portrayal he has persistently refuted. Every episode concludes with a note stating: "Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA or participating in any IRA-related violence." Episodes seven through nine further clarify his denial regarding involvement in Jean McConville’s abduction.

The ninth episode depicts Marian Price shooting Jean McConville. Price contests any role in McConville’s death and initiated legal proceedings against the production team in December 2024 over this representation. An endnote in that episode reads: "Marian Price also denies any involvement in the murder of Jean McConville."

Critical response

Say Nothing boasts a 93% approval rating from 46 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.5 out of 10. The site's consensus describes it as "a haunting portrayal of The Troubles," notable for its nuanced moral and political complexity. On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average of 80 out of 100 based on 23 reviews, reflecting "generally favorable" opinions.

Benji Wilson from The Daily Telegraph awarded the series a perfect score of five stars, applauding its compelling fusion of historical drama, tragedy, and thriller elements spanning four decades of Northern Ireland's Troubles. He commended the vivid characterizations of individuals like Gerry Adams, Jean McConville, Dolours Price, and Brendan Hughes, emphasizing strong acting and richly crafted narratives. Wilson praised the adaptation for effectively capturing the spirit of Patrick Radden Keefe’s 2018 book and underscored its exploration of reconciliation alongside the conflict between silence and truth.

Lucy Mangan at The Guardian rated the show three stars out of five, acknowledging its clear storytelling despite complex timelines and narrative shifts. She highlighted the gripping focus on Jean McConville’s disappearance and Dolours Price’s experiences, particularly praising performances by Maxine Peake and Lola Petticrew. However, Mangan noted that the series occasionally leans too sympathetically toward its central figures—especially the Price sisters, Gerry Adams, and Brendan Hughes—while not fully confronting the repercussions of their actions or the pain inflicted.

Viewership

According to Reelgood, a streaming data aggregator monitoring 20 million monthly US viewing choices, Say Nothing ranked as the seventh most-streamed series during November 14–20, 2024. The following week ending November 27 saw it decline to ninth place.

Reactions

The son of Jean McConville publicly criticized the series, describing it as "sickening" to monetize their family’s tragedy. On 4 December 2024, Marian Price announced she would pursue legal action against Disney+ concerning the show's portrayal of her alleged role in McConville's murder. Subsequently, on 2 July 2025, Price filed a lawsuit in Dublin High Court seeking damages and demanding removal of the scene depicting her shooting McConville.

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result References
2025 British Academy Television Awards Best International Programme Say Nothing[lower-alpha 1] Template:Nom [1]
Best Actress Lola Petticrew Template:Nom
Best Supporting Actress Maxine Peake Template:Nom
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction Stephen Murphy (for "I Lay Waiting") Template:Nom
Casting Directors' Guild Awards Best Casting in a TV Drama Series Lucy Amos and Nina Gold Template:Nom [2]
Gotham Awards Breakthrough Limited Series Say Nothing[lower-alpha 2] Template:Nom [3]
Gracie Awards Limited Series Say Nothing Template:Won [4]
IFTA Film & Drama Awards Best Drama Say Nothing Template:Nom [5]
[6]
Best Lead Actor – Drama Anthony Boyle Template:Nom
Best Lead Actress – Drama Lola Petticrew Template:Won
Best Supporting Actor – Drama Tom Vaughan-Lawlor Template:Won
Best Supporting Actress – Drama Hazel Doupe Template:Won
Best Director – Drama Michael Lennox Template:Nom
Best Script – Drama Kirsten Sheridan and Joshua Zetumer Template:Nom
Best Casting Lucy Amos and Nina Gold Template:Nom
Best Cinematography Stephen Murphy Template:Nom
Best Editing Edel McDonnell Template:Nom


External links


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