5 Commissions True-Crime Drama Series Suspect

5 has commissioned Suspect, a limited-run scripted series that will shed new light on pivotal moments in real high-profile criminal investigations in which the victims become the prime suspects.

The first film in the series will be Suspect: Kate McCann (w.t.), about the time when Portuguese police brought Madeleine McCann’s mother in for questioning and then told her she was a suspect. It is based on official police material, documentary evidence and recorded testimony.

Suspect: Kate McCann is directed by Paula Wittig (Black Widow, Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home) and written by Philip Ralph (Einstein and The Bomb, 8 Days: To The Moon and Back). Laura Bayston (Killing Eve, Slow Horses, Doctors) stars in the lead role.

The second film—Suspect: The Road Rage Killer (w.t.)—examines the case of Tracie Andrews, who claimed her fiancé had been killed in a shocking road rage attack. After a disastrous press conference, however, she found herself accused of murdering him.

Suspect: The Road Rage Killer stars Emma Rigby in the lead role. it is directed by Grant Armour (Murderer Behind The Mask, Barrymore: The Rise and Fall of Mr Saturday Night, Manhunt: The Phantom Cop Killer).

“This fantastic film goes where the cameras couldn’t—behind the closed doors of the interview room—to create a deeply moving drama from documentary evidence,” said Dan Louw, commissioning editor at 5. “Suspect: Kate McCann is one of the most tense, moving and shocking films you will see this year. I cannot praise the writing, directing and acting enough—especially a star-making turn from Laura Bayston as Kate McCann.”

Nat Lippiett, head of programs at Orchard Studios and executive producer of Suspect, added, “You might think you know these stories, but these powerful, meticulously researched dramas will surprise viewers by shedding light on the lesser-known moments in these iconic crime cases.”