I’m thrilled to share that FX’s latest must-watch series, “Say Nothing,” has debuted to a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. This historical true crime drama, based on the 2018 book of the same name by Patrick Radden Keefe, is the network’s latest triumph in what feels like a new golden age of prestige television.
What Is “say nothing” about?
“Say Nothing” is a nine-episode limited series that spans 40 years and uses the disappearance and murder of a single mother, Jean McConville, to tell a larger story about Northern Ireland’s so-called Troubles—the period of violent conflict between nationalist and unionist forces that lasted from the 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.
McConville’s death was one of the most infamous tragedies of the Troubles, and “Say Nothing” does an excellent job of exploring the web of loyalty, betrayal, and secrets that surrounded her murder. As FX explains, the series “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.”
TV Guide raves that this limited series “is an elegiac drama about the psychological toll of political violence, told in such a way that its perpetrators are not heroes or villains, just people clinging to the idea that what they’re doing is right.”
FX: The New HBO For Prestige TV
What’s particularly noteworthy about the debut of “Say Nothing” is how it continues FX’s recent streak as the new go-to destination for ambitious, genre-blending television. As I’ve mentioned before, FX has stepped into the void left by HBO’s shift toward more mainstream programming, positioning itself as a home for adult-driven, risk-taking content.
Recent FX hits like “The Bear,” “Shogun,” “The Americans,” and “Atlanta” have solidified the network’s reputation for elevating the medium, just as HBO did during its golden era. And now, with the launch of “Say Nothing,” FX is further cementing its status as the automatic stamp of quality for viewers seeking unforgettable high art on the small screen.
A Talented Ensemble Cast
Bringing this complex and challenging story to life is a talented ensemble cast, including Anthony Boyle, Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, and Josh Finan. These young actors, who range in age from 23 to 31, play the real-life figures at the heart of the Troubles, including IRA members Brendan Hughes, Dolours Price, Marian Price, and Gerry Adams.
As Boyle, who grew up in West Belfast, explains, the series “leaves those questions unanswered.’ You can’t say, “This is definitive: They’re a baddie, they’re a goody.” We need to ask the audience, “What would you do?” This nuanced approach to exploring the moral gray areas of the Troubles is precisely what makes “Say Nothing” such a compelling and thought-provoking watch.
A Must-See Series For 2024
With its perfect critics’ score, stellar ensemble cast, and FX’s impeccable track record, “Say Nothing” is undoubtedly one of the must-see series of 2024. The series will premiere all nine episodes on Hulu on November 14th, giving viewers the opportunity to binge the entire story in one sitting.
So if you’re in the mood for a gripping, evocative exploration of one of history’s most complex and divisive conflicts, be sure to add “Say Nothing” to your must-watch list. This is prestige television at its finest, courtesy of the new HBO-FX.
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