Actor Fra Fee, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, drew on his Northern Ireland background for his role in the Netflix series Unchosen. The six-part drama follows a woman in a cloistered Christian sect whose life changes with the arrival of an escaped prisoner played by Fee.

Fee grew up in an environment shaped by religion. He described his childhood as part of a highly church-governed world. Separate religious-based schools limited his early experiences, he said. He felt saddened looking back because it kept his world small. He noted that times are changing.

Religion has long influenced society in Northern Ireland, Fee observed. He saw comparisons between that context and the insular cult in Unchosen, which rejects modern life and technology like mobile phones. Still, he called the show's world uniquely extreme.

Fee expressed fondness for Northern Ireland despite now living in England. He loves returning home and called Belfast the best city. Most of his friends remain there, he said.

In Unchosen, Fee plays Sam, an escaped prisoner whose criminal past raises questions about threats within the sect. Fee found the character complex and nuanced. Initially an antagonist on the surface, Sam proved complicated upon deeper exploration, Fee stated.

Fee co-stars with Asa Butterfield, Molly Windsor and Christopher Eccleston. The series became available on Netflix on 21 April.