Viewers have criticised Channel 5's new drama 'Maxine', accusing the broadcaster of attempting to portray Maxine Carr as a victim. The miniseries, which aired on Monday, tells the story of Carr, who was engaged to Ian Huntley, the man responsible for the 2002 Soham murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
Taking to Twitter, many expressed anger at the show's narrative. One viewer wrote: 'Maxine was never a victim. The true victims were Holly and Jessica. Can Channel 5 stop portraying her as a victim'. Another said: 'Are Channel 5 trying to make us feel sorry for Maxine Carr? A woman who lied & covered for her evil boyfriend... It's 20 years since this horrendous & awful event & I don't think anyone needs to watch'.
The three-part series examines Carr's tumultuous relationship with Huntley, why she lied for him, and how she became 'public enemy number one'. It comes 20 years after the murders, which sparked Britain's largest missing persons inquiry. Huntley, a school caretaker, lured the girls to his home and murdered them before dumping their bodies. Carr provided him with a false alibi and was jailed for perverting the course of justice, later released with a new identity.
Some viewers called for the show to be cancelled. One tweeted: 'If Channel 5 had any decency they would pull the plug on this really not fair on Holly and Jessica's family'. Another added: 'I turned off Channel 5, one it's bad acting but two it's shocking they're making Maxine Carr look like a victim. These are the victims', posting a picture of the two girls.
