Disney+ Slates New Original from Jeff Pope

Jeff Pope, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter whose credits include Philomena, Stan and Ollie, Little Boy Blue and A Confession, is penning Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes for Disney+.

Made by Pope’s label Etta Pictures, a part of ITV Studios, the limited series will be directed by Paul Andrew Williams, with Kwadjo Dajan as executive producer. Set immediately after the 2005 London bombings, it will focus on the manhunt for a group of terrorists and the tragic killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken as a suspect. De Menezes’ parents and other relatives are among those serving as consultants for the series.

Liam Keelan, senior VP of original content for Europe and Africa at Disney, commented: “This is a crucial drama series for us, reflecting our ambition to tell stories with real authenticity and which really matter to our audiences. This is a subject Jeff Pope and Kwadjo Dajan are incredibly passionate about and have been wanting to explore for some time. It’s a privilege for us to collaborate with them on this important true story.”

Pope, writer and executive producer, added: “After the July 7th bombings, the capital was in a state of terror, and fear of another imminent wave of deadly attacks ultimately led to the tragic death of Jean Charles de Menezes. This series is not just about how and why he died, but also about what followed, as it became painfully apparent that an innocent man had become another victim of these horrific events.”

Dajan, executive producer, noted: “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.”