Northern Ireland

Drama series on Jean McConville’s murder to air in November

Say Nothing examines the murder and legacy of the Belfast mother-of-ten, whose body was undiscovered for 30 years after she was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972

'Say Nothing,' the new Disney+ drama series explores the murder and legacy of Jean McConville - a Belfast mother-of-ten who was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972, with her body undiscovered for 30 years. PICTURE: DISNEY+
'Say Nothing,' the new Disney+ drama series explores the murder and legacy of Jean McConville - a Belfast mother-of-ten who was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972, with her body undiscovered for 30 years. PICTURE: DISNEY+

A new Troubles TV drama depicting the murder of Belfast woman Jean McConville is set to air in November.

Say Nothing is based on the best-selling book by Patrick Radden Keefe, which explores how the 38-year-old Belfast mother-of-ten was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972, with her body undiscovered for 30 years.

Disney+ has confirmed the nine-part series from FX will premiere exclusively in Ireland on November 14.

Billed as “a gripping story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland during the Troubles”, the story spans four decades and opens with the shocking disappearance of Ms McConville.

It goes on to the tell the story of various IRA members and “explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs”, and how a deeply divided society can quickly spill over into radical violence, casting a long shadow with the “psychological costs of a code of silence”.

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Jean McConville with three of her children shortly before she disappeared on December 7 1972
Jean McConville with three of her children shortly before she disappeared on December 7 1972


The series will star Lola Petticrew and Maxine Peake as the younger and older Dolours Price, with Hazel Doupe as Marian Price - young women who became “potent symbols of radical politics”.

Anthony Boyle portrays Brendan Hughes, “a charismatic but conflicted military strategist,” and Josh Finan as the former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, “a leading political operator who would go on to negotiate peace and has always denied having any involvement with the IRA”.

Filming locations for the series included Liverpool, Sheffield and the Dorset coast.

Members of Jean McConville’s family have previously expressed their concerns about the series, stating the production had not reached out to her children.

Her daughter Helen McKendry previously told the Irish News: “I am not too happy. If you are supposed to be telling a story you have to tell the truth, not what you make up as you go along.

“I don’t think they should be profiting out of someone else’s grief,” but added she would support the series if “they tell it right”.