5 confirms “powerful” true crime drama which will depict Kate McCann interrogation following Madeleine McCann disappearance

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A new five-part drama series will explore high-profile criminal cases where the victims unexpectedly come under suspicion. The first episode will center on Kate McCann and the aftermath of her daughter Madeleine’s disappearance.

Laura Bayston, known for her roles in shows like Slow Horses and Casualty, will play the mother at a very difficult time – July 2007. This was when she was questioned by Portuguese police as a suspect and then faced intense and unfavorable coverage in the media worldwide.

According to reports from 5, the situation quickly changed from harmless to serious when police informed Kate they no longer believed her story and were treating her as a formal suspect.

The detectives informed her they had proof linking her to the disappearance, and warned that she would be charged with murder if she didn’t confess. It’s a parent’s worst fear, and in this case, the situation was especially horrifying.

This 90-minute drama tells a true story based on police records, documents, and interviews. It reveals how mistakes in evidence gathering led to an unfair interrogation and a lasting, inaccurate reputation that continued for decades.

In the following year, Portuguese police officially stated that Kate and Gerry McCann, who had consistently maintained their innocence, were removed from the list of suspects in Madeleine’s disappearance.

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Dan Louw from Channel 5 described the film as a deeply moving drama built on real interview footage, offering a look behind the scenes that cameras wouldn’t normally capture.

Kate McCann is a powerfully emotional and gripping film, likely to be one of the most impactful you’ll see this year. The writing, direction, and performances are all exceptional, with Laura Bayston delivering a breakout performance as Kate McCann.

The Suspect episode focusing on Kate McCann was written by Philip Ralph, known for his work on ‘Einstein and the Bomb’ and ‘Doctors,’ and directed by Paula Wittig, who previously worked on ‘Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home’.

The next installment of the anthology series will be titled Suspect: The Road Rage Killer (working title). It will explore the case of Tracie Andrews (played by Emma Rigby, known from Hollyoaks) in the weeks following the mysterious death of her fiancé, Lee Harvey.

Andrews first said Harvey died after being hit by a driver during a road rage confrontation, but his story quickly began to fall apart.

This gripping drama centers on Tracie, who goes from being a victim to a suspect, and reveals how the truth can fall apart when people are stressed. The story explores how a woman’s desire for love and acceptance spiraled into obsession, the need to control others, and ultimately, violence.

The upcoming Suspect episode focusing on Andrews will be directed by Grant Armour, known for his work on Manhunt: The Search for the Cop Killer. It aims to blend compelling dramatic storytelling with realistic, documentary-style details.

According to executive producer Nat Lippiett, while people may be familiar with these crimes, the series will offer fresh insights by focusing on details and moments that aren’t widely known. He believes the carefully researched dramas will surprise audiences with these new perspectives.

Suspect is coming to 5 later this year.

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV dramas and comedies for TopMob, focusing on the newest and most popular shows on television and streaming platforms. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast on ITVX. He also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-02-26 15:08