Anthony Boyle, the actor known for his roles in Manhunt and Masters of the Air, hails from West Belfast, where he was deeply influenced by his surroundings. As a child, he often passed murals depicting hunger strikers and victims of violence. He describes growing up during “the hangover” of the Troubles, a period marked by the sectarian conflict between Protestant unionists and Catholic nationalists in Northern Ireland, which spanned from the 1960s to the late 1990s.

“The history is so recent,” Boyle said. “You feel its weight constantly.”

When director Mike Lennox, known for Derry Girls, approached Boyle about starring in Say Nothing, a limited series adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, Boyle was initially hesitant. The nine-episode series is set during and after the Troubles in Belfast, with an American author and showrunner, and produced by FX, a division of Disney Entertainment.

Boyle was wary. He reflected, “When brothers have killed each other over which faction they belong to, a show from Disney won’t capture this story properly.”

However, after reading the scripts, Boyle decided to take on the role of Brendan Hughes, a key member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. In Say Nothing, which premieres Thursday on Hulu, Boyle stars alongside Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price, Hazel Doupe as Marian Price, and Josh Finan as Gerry Adams.

The actors portray young versions of real-life figures who engaged in or endorsed violent acts for political reasons. (While Adams has long denied his ties to the IRA, both Hughes, who passed away in 2008, and Dolours Price, who died in 2013, disputed this.) The series explores the initial fervor of fighting for a cause and the profound consequences that follow.

Petticrew, who is also from West Belfast, explained, “The questions raised felt very relevant to me as a young adult — about how we heal from a recent, traumatic past.”

Boyle appreciated that the series avoids providing definitive answers. “It’s not about labeling people as simply good or bad,” he said. “We want to ask the audience: ‘What would you do in this situation?’”

For Boyle and Petticrew, who have been friends for years, the project felt especially significant. Petticrew admitted, “The toughest part for me was the responsibility to my people, my community, to portray this properly.” Despite all the actors being too young to have experienced the Troubles firsthand (Finan is 31, Boyle is 30, Petticrew is 28, and Doupe is 23), they understood the gravity of the subject, which made their bond of mutual trust, strengthened by visits to local pubs, all the more essential.

In a video call in late October, the actors, who have since moved on to other projects, discussed the historical, political, and personal implications of the series. These are edited excerpts from that conversation.

Growing up, what did you know about the Troubles? What were you taught?

Anthony Boyle: In Belfast, you don’t get a formal education about the Troubles; it’s just part of life. It’s all around you. Many people haven’t moved past it. There are still families grieving loved ones who were killed.

Hazel Doupe: I grew up in the South, in the Republic of Ireland, and it was a different experience. I remember asking my parents about the Troubles once, and they couldn’t really explain it. It felt distant, almost like it was happening on the other side of the world. That makes me sad now.

Josh Finan: In Liverpool, we weren’t taught much about it in school. For my Irish friends, I imagine that must be tough, especially considering how geographically close we are. I felt ashamed when I first visited Belfast. It hit me how little I knew, and how it’s not part of the conversation in England.

Lola Petticrew: I have a real problem with calling it “the Troubles.” That term downplays what was essentially a war, and it allows Britain and the South of Ireland to distance themselves from their role in it.

How much did you feel the need to learn about the real people you’re portraying?

Josh Finan: As much as I could. I didn’t understand why they thought I could play Gerry Adams. He’s such a different person from me, in how he moves, speaks, and his energy. I went a bit crazy preparing — I read countless books and watched endless interviews. I wanted to make sure I could portray him authentically, but I never assumed I knew everything.

Lola Petticrew: Dolours was a less well-known figure, which gave me a lot of freedom. But it was important for me to distinguish between the real Dolours and the Dolours written in the script. This is one version of events, based on oral histories. Out of respect, I didn’t feel it was right to reach out to people who knew her. My job was to stick to what was written.

Hazel Doupe: Same for me. There wasn’t much material on Marian Price. But that gave me the freedom to focus entirely on the script, as Lola said.

Anthony Boyle: For the past decade, I’ve played American and English characters, telling other people’s stories. But this role felt natural. I felt I already knew this. It’s probably the most genuine performance I’ve ever done.

Did you feel sympathy for the characters you played?

Anthony Boyle: You have to fully sympathize with them because, in your mind, their decisions must make sense. If you judge them, you’re only performing a caricature, not a true portrayal.

Lola Petticrew: If we had gone into this making moral judgments, the show wouldn’t have worked. It has to exist in the gray area, where one person’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist. We’re not providing answers; we’re just presenting a part of history. As a young person living here, I often feel like if I don’t have answers, no one at Disney does. My hope is that the show sparks meaningful conversations.

What was filming like?

Anthony Boyle: I’ve known Lola since I was 12, so doing scenes with her felt very relaxed and natural. Even though the material was heavy, the atmosphere on set was fun. It helped that we all got along so well.

Hazel Doupe: The bond between the four of us was crucial. We really supported each other. One of the best parts of making the show was meeting the people of Belfast, who made up most of our cast. They have the best sense of humor.

Has making the show influenced your own political views or beliefs? Are there causes you would fight for in this way?

Lola Petticrew: Everyone has something — a person or a cause — that they would fight for with everything they have. For me, this show made me reflect on that.

Hazel Doupe: There are many things I care about deeply. Standing up for others, being selfless — it’s vital. Making this show has taught me so much about the Troubles, and it’s something I will never forget. It’s not just “the Troubles in the North of Ireland” — it’s everyone’s trouble, and it’s our responsibility.