Disney has come under fire recently for some big budget poorly received content (chiefly of the Star Wars franchise) which might lead to viewers overlooking some of their other stronger shows. High quality drama series such as this one and the other recent production covering the 1970s bombing campaign in London by the IRA, are gritty raw topics that explore a number of important issues. They demand their subjects be treated fairly and with a level of professionalism that they so richly deserve, and that is what we have here. It was inevitable that the highly controversial shooting of Brazilian national, Jean Charles de Menezes, by over zealous armed British Police Officers in the wake of the 7/7 bombings would one day be dramatised. It was one of the worst mistakes in the forces history, and a day of shame for the British Police. Worse still, as with Hillsborough before it, what followed was a cover up and a scramble by senior offices to distance themselves from the events. Told over four episodes, the drama covers the initial bombings, the attempt by the second cell to repeat the attacks again two weeks later, the events at Stockwell & the subsequent cover-up and chief whistleblower who blew the lid off the nonsense that would follow, and ultimately in the public inquiry of 2008. Writer Jeff Pope has tackled many similar topics before and is no stranger to this type of material, joined together with director Paul Andrew Williams, (paired previously on A Confession) make a formidable team to tell this story. Credit must also be given to Casting Directors Lean Harrison & Des Hamilton for assembling a top class range of talent from the cream of British character actors, and leads alike. Authentic performances are given from dependable veterans like Tony Simpson, Conleth Hill, Daniel Mays, Max Beezley along with some fresher faces including Jamie Chambers, Bert Seymour, Izuka Hoyle & James Nelson-Joyce (probably one of the most raw intense & talented actors of his generation) The actors cast in the roles of the second terrorist cell also give completely believable performances and have been cast with an incredible likeness to those they are portraying. All do an outstanding job. Emily Mortimer is appropriately emotionally removed from reality as Cressida Dick. Russell Tovey does a superb job anchoring the production as the Assistant Commissioner trying to get those around him to keep a grip on reality. I have to give full props to all involved, and I certainly hope the family of Jean Charles are pleased with this production to the degree that they can be under the dreadful circumstances. The events of that July were complex and difficult, in a city where those meant to protect us were functioning on at a high state of alert, under incredible stress, but poor leadership, where a number of terrible mistakes were made, which should have been immediately owned by the police. 17 witnesses saw Jean Charles get shot, 17 witnesses said no warning was given, he was basically shot dead without warning. Thankfully we do not live in the time of Hillsborough, but 10K (facts long in public domain) in compensation for a life so wrongly taken is, one must say, dreadfully insulting. The scenes portraying the family back home with the Bazilian cast are extremely well handled and it is a credit that they were given adequate screen time in the narrative. The production blends real footage, with the dramatisation extremely effectively in what is a first class drama. More content of this quality please. This show is a credit to every single person who worked on it. Highly recommended.
Summary: Extremely well made & poignant series on an important topic that must be seen.
