[Ammi]

A new feature-length drama about the "controversial interrogation" of Madeleine McCann's mother Kate McCann is set to air on Channel 5. Suspect: Kate McCann will focus on Kate McCann being questioned by Portuguese police following the disappearance of her daughter.

A synopsis reads: "In July 2007, three months after the disappearance of her daughter, Kate McCann was brought in for questioning by Portuguese police. What started innocently enough quickly turned hostile - police told Kate that they no longer believed her and would be considering her an ‘arguida’ (formal suspect).

"Detectives told her they had evidence that would prove her involvement in the disappearance, and that if she didn’t confess, she would face murder charges.

"Suspect: Kate McCann” focuses on an extraordinary and tense 48-hour period that threatened to halt the search for Madeleine, and which left the McCanns fighting for their freedom. It’s the story of every parent’s nightmare, somehow getting worse."

The drama is based on official police material, documentary evidence, and recorded testimony.

Laura Bayston is set to deliver a "raw and visceral" performance as Kate McCann, while Paula Wittig directs a script penned by Philip Ralph.

Dan Louw, commissioning editor at 5, said: “This fantastic film goes where the cameras couldn’t – behind the closed doors of the interview room – to create a deeply moving drama from documentary evidence.

"Suspect: Kate McCann is one of the most tense, moving, and shocking films you will see this year. I cannot praise the writing, directing, and acting enough – especially a star-making turn from Laura Bayston as Kate McCann."

Further casting details and a release date will be announced in due course.