The parents of Madeleine McCann have expressed their disappointment over not being consulted or asked for permission during the development of a new true crime drama centered on their daughter’s disappearance. Channel 5’s production, “Under Suspicion: Kate McCann,” portrays Madeleine’s mother as a suspect in the investigation that took place in May 2007, a narrative that Kate and Gerry McCann assert they had no role in shaping.
Airing on Wednesday, the drama features Laura Bayston from Slow Horses in the lead role as Kate McCann. In response, Kate and Gerry released a statement on the same day, highlighting their concerns about the adverse effects such programs have on their family as they continue to cope with the 19-year-old mystery of Madeleine’s vanishing.
Expressing appreciation for the support and kindness received, the McCanns conveyed their disappointment about the Channel 5 documentary airing without their consent or involvement. They questioned the potential benefits of such productions, emphasizing the negative impact on their family dynamics.
The statement, also shared on the official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, was signed off as “Kate, Gerry & Family.” Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family’s vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, just before her fourth birthday on May 3, 2007.
Following her disappearance, Portuguese authorities considered Kate and Gerry as suspects for ten months. The new show dramatizes Kate’s interrogation by the police, drawing from official police records, documentary evidence, and recorded testimonies.
The 90-minute film is penned by acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Philip Ralph, with direction from Paula Wittig, known for her work on Black Widow. The Mirror has reached out to Channel 5 for a response.