A new Channel 5 drama, Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, revisits the harrowing police interrogation of Kate McCann in 2007, when Portuguese authorities treated her and her husband Gerry as suspects in their daughter Madeleine's disappearance. The drama draws on first-hand accounts from the McCanns and a journalist who covered the case extensively.
Madeleine McCann vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal, on 3 May 2007, aged three. Despite a massive investigation, no trace of her has ever been found. In September 2007, Portuguese police formally named Kate and Gerry McCann as suspects, subjecting them to hours of intense questioning. They were later cleared of any involvement.
The journalist who reported the case notes that the suspicions have never fully dissipated, though the McCanns have always maintained their innocence. The couple's resilience has been remarkable, but the strain was evident during those days in Portugal as the 100th day since Madeleine's disappearance approached.
The drama highlights the absurdity of the accusations, which would have required a pact among the McCanns and their seven travelling companions. The journalist recalls meeting Gerry McCann after their return to the UK, where he spoke openly about the ordeal. The couple's home still bore reminders of Madeleine, including a star chart on the fridge to encourage her to stay in bed.
