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Under Suspicion: Kate McCann cast – who stars in 5 drama?
The factual drama focuses on the interrogation of Kate McCann and has an understandably small cast.
5
- Morgan Cormack
Published: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 9:00 am
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5 has released factual dramas that have explored the likes of the Soham murders in Maxine and a real-life national scandal in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, and it's now looking into the interrogation of Madeleine McCann's mother Kate McCann.
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In Under Suspicion: Kate McCann, we see that the tides have slightly shifted after three months of her daughter being missing, with both the media and Portuguese police treating the McCanns very differently.
Soon, Kate and her husband Gerry are named as suspects in their daughter's disappearance and this one-off drama maps out Kate's cross-examination.
As per the synopsis: "In her final interrogation, Kate defies all accusations by answering 'no comment' on her lawyer's advice. As she leaves the police station, we are reminded that this story began with a mother searching for her child, and that no amount of suspicion, however constructed, will diminish her hope of finding her daughter."
Kate and Gerry always denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance and would later be formally cleared by authorities.
But who stars as Kate McCann in the new 5 drama and who else makes up the small cast? Read on to find out about the ensemble at the centre of Under Suspicion: Kate McCann.
Under Suspicion: Kate McCann cast – Who stars in 5 drama?
The full cast list for Under Suspicion: Kate McCann is as follows but scroll on to find out more about their characters.
- Laura Bayston as Kate McCann
- Joana Borja as Armanda Duarte Salbany Russel
- Hugo Nicolau as Inspector João Carlos
- Miguel Freire as Inspector Ricardo Paiva
- Carlos Agualusa as Carlos Pinto De Abreu
- James Robinson as Gerry McCann
- Ruby Ranson as Madeleine McCann
Laura Bayston as Kate McCann
Laura Bayston as Kate McCann in Under Suspicion: Kate McCann. 5
Who is Kate McCann? The mother of Madeleine McCann, we see how Kate becomes the subject of public scrutiny and is subsequently brought in as an official witness before being named as a suspect, as her worst nightmare becomes a reality.
Where have I seen Laura Bayston before? Bayston has appeared in episodes of Killing Eve, Slow Horses, Casualty and Doctors.
Joana Borja as Armanda Duarte Salbany Russel
Joana Borja as Armanda Duarte Salbany Russel in Under Suspicion: Kate McCann. 5
Who is Armanda Duarte Salbany Russel? The interpreter who was present during Kate's police interview as she couldn't understand Portuguese.
Where have I seen Joana Borja before? Borja has starred in Traces, Hanna, Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue and Patience.
Hugo Nicolau as Inspector João Carlos
Hugo Nicolau as João Carlos in Under Suspicion: Kate McCann. 5
Who is Inspector João Carlos? A senior investigator in the case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Where have I seen Hugo Nicolau before? Nicolau has appeared in The Musketeers, The Royals and Women in Revolution.
Miguel Freire as Inspector Ricardo Paiva
Miguel Freire as Ricardo Paiva in Under Suspicion: Kate McCann. 5
Who is Inspector Ricardo Paiva? A detective within the Portuguese police force who was heavily involved in the McCann case.
Where have I seen Miguel Freire before? The actor is known for his role in Portuguese soap opera Jardins Proibidos, as well as Dancin' Days and Abandonados.
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Under Suspicion: Kate McCann premieres on Wednesday 20 May on 5 at 9pm.
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Authors
Morgan CormackDrama Writer
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
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