Madeleine McCann Netflix documentary: How to watch controversial new series in UK

The eight-part series has already caused controversy

Netflix’s upcoming Madeleine McCann documentary series looks set to cause controversy.

Before even reaching the streaming service, McCann’s parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, condemned the series, saying it could potentially “hinder” the ongoing police investigation into the disappearance of their daughter.

Here’s everything we know about the documentary, titled The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Release date, episode count and trailer

All eight, hour-long episodes of The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann will be available on Netflix from 8am GMT on Friday, 15 March.

A trailer for the series has already been made available and can be watched at the top of this article.

What have McCann’s parents said?

Gerry and Kate McCann have confirmed that they were asked to appear on camera but declined the offer.

“We are aware that Netflix are planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleine’s disappearance,” the family said in a statement.

“The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate.

“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, it 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.”

Gerry and Kate McCann (PA)

When did Madeleine go missing?

Madeleine went went missing from their family’s holiday apartment at the seaside resort of Praia de Luz in Portugal on 3 May, 2007. After an initial investigation by Portuguese officials came to a standstill, Scotland Yard launched their own, which remains ongoing as another £150,000 was granted to the probe last November.

Who made the documentary?

Chris Smith, who directed Netflix’s Fyre Festival documentary, as well as the Jim Carrey-starring Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, has directed The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The UK-based Pulse Films have produced the series with Paramount television. The series was reportedly green-lit in 2017 following the success of other true crime documentaries.

Who will appear in the series?

More than 40 contributors were interviewed, with the filmmakers using 120 hours of interviews, archival footage and reenactments to make the eight-hour series.

Netflix has provided The Independent with a list of the key interviewees who appear during the series.

Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan – Investigative journalists who co-wrote Looking for Madeleine, a 2015 book about the McCann case.

Jayne Jensen — Tourist at the Ocean Club Resort who reported seeing two strange men shortly before Madeleine disappeared.

Gonçalo Amaral — Former chief investigating coordinator with the Polícia Judiciária in Portimão. After his dismissal, Amaral wrote a controversial book about the McCann case.

Sandra Felgueiras — Journalist with RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal) who covered the McCann case.

Robert Murat — Local Portuguese-British man who was declared arguido, or suspect, in the McCann case. His arguido status was lifted due to lack of evidence.

Ernie Allen — Former President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Jim Gamble — Former senior British Police officer and former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).

Phil Hall — Former newspaper editor who worked as a PR consultant for the McCanns.

Susan & Haynes Hubbard — Friends of the McCanns. Father Haynes Hubbard was senior chaplain of the Algarve Anglican Church.

Kelvin MacKenzie — Former editor of The Sun newspaper who clashed with the McCanns over the media’s standards when covering the case.

Sergey Malinka — Russian immigrant who was questioned by the Polícia Judiciária because of his business relationship with Robert Murat.

Paulo Pereira Cristóvão — Former Detective with the Polícia Judiciária.

Patrícia de Sousa Cipriano — Lawyer and president of the Portuguese Association of Missing Children.

Justine McGuinness — PR advisor to the McCanns.

Homayra Sellier — President of Innocence in Danger, an organisation that works to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

Margarida Davim — Journalist who co-authored the controversial “Pact of Silence” article that appeared in a Portuguese newspaper.

Felícia Cabrita — Portuguese investigative journalist who co-authored the “Pact of Silence” article and is known for reporting on Portugal’s Casa Pia child abuse case.

Martin Grime — Forensic dog trainer who brought his blood- and cadaver-sniffing dogs to Praia da Luz.

David Hughes — PR advisor hired by the McCanns after they returned to England.

Brian Kennedy — Businessman and McCann benefactor who funded independent investigations into Madeleine’s disappearance.

Patrick Kennedy — Brian Kennedy’s son. He traveled with investigators to follow leads in the McCann case.

Rogério Alves — Lawyer for Kate and Gerry McCann.

Julian Peribañez — Spanish private investigator who went to the Algarve to try to uncover new information.

Melissa Little — Police forensic artist who sketched strange men witnesses say they spotted near the Ocean Club Resort.

Richard Parton — Freelance voice analyst hired by Washington, D.C.-based detective agency Oakley International.

Anything else?

According to Netflix, we can expect “never-before-heard testimonies from those at the heart of the story including friends of the McCann family, investigators working the case and from those who became the subject of media speculation and rumour”.