Here’s Why Kate and Gerry McCann Want Nothing To Do With Netflix’s Madeleine McCann Documentary

The parents have said they want no involvement in the show as they believe it could hinder the search

Madeleine McCann

by Bonnie McLaren |
Updated on

Netflix's Madeleine McCann documentary will air today and in it some experts will claim that they believe Madeleine McCann is alive and has been taken by human traffickers.

Netflix are jumping on the true crime bandwagon yet again. Within the coming weeks, the streaming giant will drop an 8-part documentary all about the abduction of British schoolgirl Madeleine McCann, who tragically went missing twelve years ago after a family holiday in Portugal. The three-year-old was taken from her hotel room as she slept alongside her twin younger siblings, while her parents were eating dinner at a restaurant close by. It’s been reported that the new Netflix series will speak to high profile investigators involved in the case, attempting to piece together the events of that fateful night in 2007, no doubt spurring on a new group of armchair detectives.

The biggest opponents of the documentary are understandably her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann. The pair hit out in a statement released by spokesperson Clarence Mitchell earlier this week, saying: “The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. But they want 'nothing to do with it.” The couple added: “We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, could potentially hinder it. Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme.” Without the parents involvement, the documentary is obviously missing one of the most important componenets. And their worries that a new documentary might disrupt the investigation is understandable.

madeleine mccann parents and mccann twins
Kate and Gerry McCann with Madeleine and McCann twins Sean and Amelie. ©Facebook/ Official Find Madeleine Campaign

But then again, with the success of shows such as Making A Murderer, it makes sense that the broadcaster wants to make the show. Following public outcry and a frenzied media reaction, the disappearance became one of the most high profile missing persons case in history, with both a Portuguese police and an £11 million Scotland Yard investigation launched. Indeed, it is a story that has captured the imagination of the world, with everyone having an opinion about who 'did' it. The Portuguese police and the McCanns themselves have frequently been the subject of criticism, with some saying the former were incompetent and the latter were negligient. And of course, the investigation is still on going – with detectives recently pleading for more public funding from the Home Office, so the case can be investigated up until 2020. And in December, Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick supported the long-running probe into the case, with an additional £150,000 having been granted last November.

A trailer, and a UK release date, are yet to be revealed by Netflix.

Here's everything we know so far about the Madeline McCann documentary on Netflix...

When is the Madeleine McCann documentary on Netflix in the UK?

The documentary is available to stream on Netflix UK from March 15.

Is there a trailer?

Yes. Watch it below.

How have Gerry and Kate McCann responded?

The biggest opponents of the documentary are understandably her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann. The pair hit out in a statement on March 6 2019 released by spokesperson Clarence Mitchell saying: “The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. But they want 'nothing to do with it.” The couple added: “We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, could potentially hinder it. Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme.”

What will the Madeleine McCann Netflix documentary cover?

The 8-part documentary will be all about the abduction of British girl Madeleine McCann, who tragically went missing twelve years ago after a family holiday in Portugal. The three-year-old was taken from her hotel room as she slept alongside her twin younger siblings, while her parents were eating dinner at a restaurant close by. It’s been reported that the new Netflix series will speak to high profile investigators involved in the case, attempting to piece together the events of that fateful night in 2007.

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