Heartbreaking TV drama set during Troubles in Ireland hailed ‘best series ever’

Historical drama Say Nothing which spans decades of the Troubles in Ireland has left viewers ‘speechless.’

All nine episodes of the series created by Josh Zetumer have arrived on Disney Plus today, devastating and chilling those who tuned in.

Based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s 2018 novel Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, it details four generations of those living through the Troubles in Northern Ireland from the 1970s to the 1990s.

It looks at their involvement in the Provisional Irish Republican Army – also known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Provos – as well as the Disappeared, those believed to have been killed by republican paramilitaries.

Say Nothing also looks at the murder of Jean McConville, a woman who was kidnapped and murdered by the IRA in 1972 and secretly buried in County Louth after being accused of passing information to British forces.

The series stars Silk actor Maxine Peake as well as Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, and Josh Finan.

It currently holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with critics hailing its powerful and emotive story.

The Financial Times said in its review: ‘It is a story of national tragedy and individual trauma, youthful radicalism and abiding regret, that shifts between different vantage points yet never flinches from the vicious cycle of violence.’

The Telegraph wrote: ‘Say Nothing should be watched as a whole, because it soon develops into something more elegiac and profound.’

Decider dubbed Say Nothing a ‘triumph’, while Loud and Clear said: ‘Fresh score.
Say Nothing is a blistering, poignant, shocking and inherently interesting example of how care, detail and sensitivity can give entertainment the power to really impact the understanding of a political issue.’

The Sunday Independent added: ‘Say Nothing, as brilliant and affecting as The Lives of Others, represents a tilting back of the axis, a reminder that the Troubles also stood for horror, murder, destruction and broken lives.’

The Creep Tapes star Mark Duplass had high praise for the series, dubbing it ‘one of the best shows he’s ever seen’ and ‘mini-series storytelling at its best.’

And viewers agreed, taking to social media to dub Say Nothing the ‘best series ever’ and ‘phenomenal.’

Dulkusal wrote on X: ‘Just finished… I’m speechless..Incredible, shocking, unbelievable, unbearable story..And brilliant acting…’

LadyHawkins added: ‘Say Nothing (Hulu) is SO good. I sped through 5 episodes last night just because I couldn’t turn it off. Super compelling, really beautifully acted, and a note-perfect adaptation of one of the best books I’ve ever read. Highly rec!’

Lacy Baugher Milas said: ‘Say Nothing, FX’s new historical drama about four decades of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is hauntingly timely, and one of the best things I’ve seen this year.’

Éowyn May Uí Bheibhir raved: ‘Say Nothing is absolutely magnificent, just as I knew it would be. Anthony Boyle once again proving he can play any character and absolutely knock it out of the park. Whole cast is amazing. Comhghairdeas, f*****g excellent.’

Speaking ahead of the series’ release, Say Nothing author Keefe predicted readers and viewers alike would have a ‘complicated’ reaction to the subject matter.

‘There will probably be a sort of emotional reaction in part because it’s a pretty edgy subject,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘My hope is that as people come to the series and they digest it, they’ll see the intention and the good faith in what we’re doing.’