Disney+ Sets Cast for Drama About Scotland Yard’s Killing of Innocent Man Jean Charles de Menezes

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: I’ve just scored a major role alongside some big names in a new UK series on Disney+ – that’s Conleth Hill from Game of Thrones, Russell Tovey from Years and Years, and Emily Mortimer known for Paddington in Peru. The show is called Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, a gripping four-part drama set to hit the screens soon.

The series, penned and overseen by Jeff Pope (of “Philomena” and “Stan and Ollie” fame), is being produced under Etta Pictures, his production house that’s affiliated with ITV Studios. This collaboration also includes Kwadjo Dajan’s KDJ Productions. The family members of Jean Charles de Menezes, including the parents, are providing their expertise as consultants for this series.

The show focuses on the events surrounding the tragic killing of innocent Brazilian de Menezes after he was mistaken for a terrorist by London police in 2005. 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.

In this production, Edison Alcaide takes on the role of Jean Charles de Menezes, while Sir Ian Blair, who was the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, is portrayed by Hill. Russell Tovey acts as one of Blair’s deputy assistant commissioners, Brian Paddick, with Max Beesley depicting Andy Hayman, a key figure in the Met’s investigation into the bombings, under his leadership.

Mortimer depicts Cressida Dick, who served as the head of the surveillance operation hunting down those believed to be behind the bombings at that time. Daniel Mays, known for his roles in ‘Line of Duty’ and ‘Des’, takes on the character of Cliff Todd, the main forensic investigator following the events of 7/7.

Pope stated: “This tale carries immense significance, and we’ve assembled a powerful group of actors to aid us in scrutinizing the series of events that ultimately resulted in the tragic gunfire incident involving Jean Charles de Menezes.

For almost an hour, authorities were unable to positively identify a regular commuter, as they tracked him. Unfortunately, he met a tragic end when he was fatally shot on a crowded subway train. His family is now working diligently to expose the significant mistakes that might have caused this heartbreaking incident.

The series will premiere on Disney+ in the spring.

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2025-02-18 14:54