The series is now one of Netflix’s biggest hits of the moment! Rebellion, a 5-part series, deals with the Easter Rising of 1916, an Irish revolt against the British presence in Ireland. Directed by Colin Teenvan, the series is now available on Netflix France, and takes a fascinating look at this revolt, which was bloodily crushed by the English.
The Rebellion series focuses on the destinies of 3 women, each of whom will experience the terrible Insurrection in their own way. The 3 friends seem inseparable from the very first scenes. The series opens on an evening of August 3, 1914: while the girls seem to be enjoying themselves, war 14-18 is officially declared. The series then leaps forward to April 18, 1916, just a few days before the Irish Rising. From then on, the destinies of these three friends will be turned upside down: their respective choices will pit them against each other, tear them apart, and unleash their passions.
You’ll discover how one of them, Frances O’Flaherty, a teacher, became an activist in the Cumann na mBan, a women’s nationalist militia. The latter will find herself occupying the Dublin Post Office, alongside Patrick Pearse, one of the Insurrection’s charismatic leaders.
You’ll also discover the commitment of Elisabeth Butler, a young woman from Bouge who is a convinced socialist. It will follow Jimmy Mahon, a member of James Connolly’s Irish Citizen Army, to take part in the failed attack on Dublin Castle, then the seat of British government in Dublin.
Finally, you follow the destiny of May Lacy, an Irish secretary working at Dublin Castle for Charles Hammond, an English official who has become her lover. In love and pregnant with this British man, she experienced the conflict very differently from her friends, dreaming of happy days with the love of her life, despite their origins.
A fascinating series, then, which set out to tell the story of the Easter Uprising by following the destinies of committed women. An original angle, which above all demonstrates the openness of the Irish at the time, who were very keen to encourage the emancipation of women!
“Rebellion” cost over 6 million euros to make. An expensive series, dedicated to recreating the action in a Dublin of the 1910s that’s truer than life, where you’ll witness the social and geopolitical situation of the Irish capital, between poor neighborhoods and terribly opulent middle-class districts!
The only downside: the series sometimes lacks breath and rhythm. The episodes are of uneven quality, and the action, often too slow, can struggle to hold on to the viewer from start to finish. Don’t hesitate to persevere: the series is well worth the effort, and will shed new light on this tragic episode in Irish history…
Check it out on Netflix!
More news
