Say Nothing premiered on Disney+ on Thursday and it has since received glowing reviews across the board, with some critics hailing the drama a ‘compelling’ watch.
The gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s best-selling book tells the story of the Price sisters who were born into the IRA and is based on a true story about a mother of 10 who was abducted in Belfast and never returned.
The Telegraph claimed the ‘superb drama’ captures both the tragedy and the thrills of the Troubles.
Benji Wilson rated the series a star rating of five out of five and wrote: ‘This sensational Disney+ series sketches a complex and devastating portrait of Northern Ireland and the lives ruined by conflict.’
David Canfield at Vanity Fair wrote: ‘The тιԍнт focus on the Price sisters offers a moving snapsH๏τ of their coming of age through pivotal moments in the history of the Troubles, and the series gradually delineates how their specific work in the IRA relates to McConville’s tragic fate.’
Indie Wire gave a grade score of B+ and claimed the series ‘carries an extra sting’ as it landed on the platform just a week after a ‘catastrophic election’.
Say Nothing premiered on Disney+ on Thursday and it has since received glowing reviews across the board with some critics hailing the drama a ‘compelling’ watch (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)
The gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s best-selling book tells the story of the Price sisters who were born into the IRA and is based on a true story about a mother of 10 who was abducted in Belfast and never returned (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)
Ben Travers wrote: ‘No matter how solidly built, Say Nothing was never going to be an easy watch, and it’s even more heartbreaking in America’s current political climate.’
‘Watching a righteous uprising rise and fall is hard enough at a time when resistance is all we have to hang our hopes, but this particular series, led by two tenacious women, operates under the wider ᴀssertion that those with the most enthusiasm and least power are likely to suffer the worst fates.’
‘The truth hurts, as they say, and ‘Say Nothing’ carries an extra sting arriving just over a week after a catastrophic election.’
He concluded: ‘That’s far from a slight against this impressive, dynamic adaptation. But among the show’s many intriguing takeaways is a clear, demonstrable belief: Staying silent isn’t the answer.’
Maxine Peake stars as Older Dolores Price in the series which follows Jean McConville, a single mother of ten, who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again.
Say Nothing was filmed predominantly in Liverpool and is set in the 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s and stars Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, and Josh Finan among others.
A synopsis for the series reads: ‘Spanning four decades, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of 10 who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again.’
‘Telling the story of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, Say Nothing explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for all affected, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.’
The Telegraph claimed the ‘superb drama’ captures both the tragedy and the thrills of the Troubles (Maxine Peake as older Dolours Price)
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‘The series stars Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price and Hazel Doupe as Marian Price, young women who became potent symbols of radical politics.’
‘Anthony Boyle stars as Brendan Hughes, a charismatic but conflicted military strategist, and Josh Finan as Gerry Adams, a leading political operator who would go on to negotiate peace and has always denied having any involvement with the IRA. Maxine Peake stars as older Dolours Price.’
The series has also earned a coveted 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.
However, there is no audience score as of yet.
Readers looking to learn more about the Troubles and the birth of the IRA can listen to MailOnline’s new podcast: From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Féin, which launches on November 22.
The podcast will be hosted by Mail Ireland editor, John Lee – and will feature interviews with various high-profile figures, including former PM Bertie Ahern and former IRA members.
Say Nothing Season One is now available to watch on Disney+.
Say Nothing – What the critics said
The Telegraph
‘This sensational Disney+ series sketches a complex and devastating portrait of Northern Ireland and the lives ruined by conflict.’ – says Benji Wilson
Vanity Fair
‘The тιԍнт focus on the Price sisters offers a moving snapsH๏τ of their coming of age through pivotal moments in the history of the Troubles, and the series gradually delineates how their specific work in the IRA relates to McConville’s tragic fate.’ – says David Canfield
Indie Wire
‘No matter how solidly built, ‘Say Nothing’ was never going to be an easy watch, and it’s even more heartbreaking in America’s current political climate.’
‘Watching a righteous uprising rise and fall is hard enough at a time when resistance is all we have to hang our hopes, but this particular series, led by two tenacious women, operates under the wider ᴀssertion that those with the most enthusiasm and least power are likely to suffer the worst fates.’
‘The truth hurts, as they say, and ‘Say Nothing’ carries an extra sting arriving just over a week after a catastrophic election.’
He concluded: ‘That’s far from a slight against this impressive, dynamic adaptation. But among the show’s many intriguing takeaways is a clear, demonstrable belief: Staying silent isn’t the answer.’ – says Ben Travers Grade B+
The Irish Times
‘This immensely bingeable yet ultimately sober-minded nine-part miniseries comes close to achieving that daunting feat by retracing the “disappearing” and subsequent murder of and the experiences of Provisional bomber both as young revolutionary and disillusioned veteran.’
‘Strange though it may sound, it is hugely exciting in places but never in a way that feels disrespectful toward those who suffered during the conflict – a high-wire act pulled off with flair and great empathy.’ – says Ed Power