New drama to focus on Kate McCann being named a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance

EntertainmentMovie
12 May 2026 • 7:28 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

New drama to focus on Kate McCann being named a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance

  • Channel 5 is releasing a one-off drama focusing on the 2007 disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
  • The drama, titled Suspect: Kate McCann, centres on the police investigation and specifically highlights Kate McCann's 11-hour interrogation, during which she was named a formal suspect before being formally cleared of any involvement.
  • Laura Bayston, who plays Kate McCann, described filming the scene where Kate is offered a deal to confess guilt as 'truly horrific' and an 'absolute punch in the guts', requiring significant emotional effort.
  • Channel 5's commissioning editor, Dan Louw, stated that the McCann family was made aware of the film and offered a chance to contribute, though they were not editorially involved, with the broadcaster prioritising its responsibility to all parties.
  • The drama is being released in the month of Madeleine's 23rd birthday, with the search for her still ongoing and a German man, Christian Brueckner, identified as the main suspect in her disappearance.

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