Is Say Nothing based on a true story?

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of stories from Northern Ireland, I must say that I am utterly intrigued by the upcoming series, Say Nothing. The synopsis and real-life inspirations behind it have piqued my interest like a well-placed bullet during The Troubles.

2021 has seen an abundance of fresh UK series on Disney Plus, ranging from the popular adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s work, Rivals, to Shardlake, derived from the novels penned by CJ Sansom.

This week, we’re introducing a fresh feature called “Say Nothing.” Although it was primarily shot in Liverpool, its story unfolds in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The show unfolds against the backdrop of the Troubles spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s, with Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, Josh Finan, and Maxine Peake as some of its main characters, alongside others.

However, let me clarify the subject matter of the Disney Plus series, Say Nothing, and whether it’s derived from actual events. Here’s what you should know regarding the real-world influences on this intriguing show.

What is Say Nothing about?

Is Say Nothing based on a true story?

The drama “Say Nothing” is adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s highly successful book, sharing a tale of murder and recollection set amidst the tumultuous period known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The series begins by recounting the startling event that took place in 1972: the disappearance of Jean McConville, a devoted mother of ten, who was seized from her residence and has not been seen since.

Say Nothing delves into the narratives of Irish Republican Army (IRA) individuals, shedding light on the extraordinary lengths some take in defense of their convictions, the precipice at which a deeply fractured society can plunge into armed conflict, the lasting impact of radical violence on all involved, and the emotional and mental toll of adhering to a code of secrecy.

The show centers around characters portrayed by Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price and Hazel Doupe as Marian Price, two youthful figures who came to embody powerful political ideologies.

In this production, Anthony Boyle takes on the role of Brendan Hughes, a captivating yet troubled military tactician, while Josh Finan portrays Gerry Adams, a prominent political figure who later facilitated peace talks and has consistently refused any connections to the IRA. Maxine Peake is cast as an older version of Dolours Price in this drama.

Is Say Nothing based on a true story?

The book by Keefe delves into the conflict known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland, giving special attention to the abduction and killing of Jean McConville, which took place in December 1972.

The book told the story of four primary real-life subjects – McConville herself, Dolours Price, an IRA member who ascended to the top of the organisation, former IRA member Brendan Hughes and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

McConville, who had ten children, changed her religious affiliation from Protestantism to Catholicism upon marrying. In December 1972, following her husband’s death, she was forcibly taken from her home by the IRA. She was later found murdered, having been shot in the back of the head, and buried in secret.

It wasn’t until after the Good Friday Agreement was signed that the IRA acknowledged their role in her death. Later on, they asserted that she was killed due to her providing intelligence to the British Army.

Price and her sister Marian, who continues to live today and whose tale is also portrayed in the show, were both involved with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Price belonged to a specific unit called “The Unknowns,” responsible for clandestinely moving suspected traitors from one side of the border into the Republic of Ireland.

Later on, Pat McClure admitted that she, along with another individual from The Unknown group, had been assigned the duty to eliminate Jean McConville. According to her account, it was actually a third member who carried out the killing.

In the aftermath of car bombing incidents that occurred in London during 1973, both she and Marian were apprehended in London and charged with these offenses. Initially given life sentences, their penalties were eventually commuted to serve 20 years. Price served a term of seven years, and made headlines for initiating a hunger strike to be transferred to a prison situated in Northern Ireland.

In 1980 and 1981, both sisters were granted freedom out of humanitarian concerns due to their struggle with severe, potentially fatal anorexia. Later, they became vocal critics of the Good Friday Agreement.

Hughes served as a prominent leader within the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and orchestrated the Bloody Friday bombings. In 1973, he was apprehended; however, he managed to make an ingenious escape by hiding inside a rolled-up mattress that was secreted in the back of a garbage truck.

In 1974, he was apprehended again after receiving a tip, and was given a 15-year imprisonment term. Later, he was given an extra five years for attacking a prison guard. While serving this sentence, Hughes also staged a hunger strike.

In the year 1986, he was freed from confinement. As time passed, he grew more critical towards Sinn Féin, eventually leveling accusations against Adams for leading the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Tragically, he succumbed to a chest infection and flu complications in 2008, following a hospital stay.

The living individual, Adams, was once the president of Sinn Féin and a significant Irish republican figure, playing a crucial role in the Northern Ireland peace process later on. He has faced allegations of being part of the IRA leadership during the 1970s and ’80s; however, he consistently maintains his innocence regarding any association with the organization.

In 2014, he was interrogated for four days by the police regarding the kidnapping and murder of McConville. However, no charges were filed against him. He has consistently claimed his innocence in the matter and resigned as leader of Sinn Féin in 2018.

In the new adaptation, these tales may be presented in various ways, since, like any dramatic retelling, there’s likely to be a degree of artistic freedom used along the way.

2024-11-14 12:04

What is Say Nothing about?

Is Say Nothing based on a true story?

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