Twenty years on, the show explores the tragic killing of an innocent man mistaken for a terrorist by the Metropolitan Police.
The Disney+ UK original imprint has provided some diverse treats of late. We’ve enjoyed the outrageous Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals, and the terrific (and cancelled-too-soon) fantasy drama Renegade Nell.
However, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes promises much more serious fare. Disney+ have confirmed the lead cast for the show, which comes from writer and executive producer by Jeff Pope (Philomena). Produced by Pope’s Etta Pictures, in association with Kwadjo Dajan’s KDJ Productions, it explores the killing of an innocent man in the wake of the 7/7 London bombings.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes focuses on the events surrounding the tragic killing of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, after he is mistaken for a terrorist. Told from multiple perspectives of those involved, it examines how memory – both accurate and distorted – can be turned into fact and shape our understanding of the truth.
Set twenty years ago, as London reels from the devastating suicide bomb attacks of 7 July 2005, the Metropolitan Police launches a large-scale counter terrorism operation to prevent further attacks. Unbeknownst to them, another terrorist cell plots an assault that could equal the devastation of 7/7.
This second set of planned attacks fails, setting off one of the UK’s largest-ever manhunts and sparking a covert surveillance operation. As tension and uncertainty rises across the nation, a series of extraordinary events unfolds, leading to a critical misidentification. Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent young Brazilian electrician on his way to work, is mistaken for a terrorist and shot dead at Stockwell station. What follows is a family’s fight for justice and answers, and the long-fought struggle to bring clarity to a situation that is clouded by confusion, and silence.
Jean Charles de Menezes’ parents and other relatives are serving as consultants for the series.
The cast
The drama has an impressive cast, with Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) playing Sir Ian Blair, then Met Police Commissioner.
Russell Tovey (The War Between the Land and the Sea) plays one of Blair’s Deputy Assistant Commissioners, Brian Paddick, while Max Beesley (Hijack) is Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman, leading on the Met’s investigation into the bombings.
Emily Mortimer (Paddington in Peru) plays as Cressida Dick, then Gold Commander of the surveillance operation pursuing those presumed responsible for the bombings. Daniel Mays (Des) as Cliff Todd, Principal Forensic Investigator in the aftermath of the events of 7/7.
Laura Aikman (Gavin & Stacey) appears as Lana Vandenberghe, a secretary at the Independent Police Complaints Commission who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of events, while Alex Jennings (The Crown) plays barrister, Michael Mansfield KC, who represents the family of Jean Charles de Menezes at the inquest into his shooting.
Newcomer Edison Alcaide plays the role of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Writer and Executive Producer Jeff Pope said:
“This is an incredibly important story to tell, and we’ve got a heavyweight ensemble cast in place that will help us examine the events that led to the tragic shooting of the innocent Jean Charles de Menezes. He was just a commuter who was tracked for nearly an hour with surveillance failing to correctly identify him, before he was shot dead on a crowded tube train, leaving his family to try and shine a light on the critical errors that led to this devastating tragedy.”
Kwadjo Dajan, executive producer, adds:
“The more we delve into this story, the more compelled we feel to tell it. We’re aware of the huge responsibility that comes with tackling this particular subject, and it’s not something we take lightly. Built on a foundation of meticulous research, integrity and respect, Jeff’s masterful writing and Paul’s visceral approach will deliver a powerful, as well as sobering, series that will leave a lasting impact on our audience.”
Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes comes from writer Jeff Pope, producer Kwadjo Dajan (Appropriate Adult) and director Paul Andrew Williams (Archie). All three also serve as executive producers.
The drama comes to Disney+ in Spring 2025.