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Movies & TV

02nd Mar 2019

Madeline McCann’s parents reportedly refused to take part in new Netflix documentary on her disappearance

Dave Hanratty

Madeline McCann Netflix

The documentary is set to hit Netflix this month.

About a year and a half ago, details emerged of a new Netflix-produced documentary focusing on the disappearance of Madeline McCann.

The case made international headlines in May of 2007 when three-year-old Madeline went missing while on holidays with her parents and two siblings in Praia de Luz in Portugal.

Her disappearance is still the subject of international coverage to this day, but although there have been reported sightings and potential suspects identified over the years, she has never been found.

Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, have never given up hope of finding their daughter and have remained active in searches.

As the 12-year anniversary of her disappearance looms, the Daily Mail has presented exclusive details on the upcoming Netflix project.

Neither the exact release date or title has been revealed yet, but it has been reported that both Kate and Gerry were approached by producers, ultimately refusing to participate in the documentary.

“We understand it is a serialised drama but neither Kate, Gerry nor their holiday friends and main players have co-operated in any shape or form,” a “friend of the McCanns” is quoted as telling the Mail.

“And we have no idea who the actors are. We believe it is coming out very soon, within the next two weeks and before the next anniversary.”

Elsewhere, the report notes that the documentary may be a one or two-part effort, despite initial information stating that the it would be comprised of eight episodes.

A source close to the production added:

“Everyone everywhere is fascinated by the Maddie story.

“We would have welcomed the opportunity of working with the McCanns directly but they informed us they couldn’t and wouldn’t consider taking part while a police investigation is into their daughter’s abduction is ongoing.

“But we have interesting new interviews with people close to the inquiry and we believe we can give justice to this unbelievably tragic story.”

On Friday, Scotland Yard reportedly asked the UK Home Office for another year’s worth of funding in order to continue the investigation into McCann’s disappearance.

Three months ago, the Home Office was reported to have granted the police an additional £150,000 to fund the search, which was intended to last six months.

But in half that time, they are reported to be requesting more funding towards a search that has already cost £11.75 million.

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