TODAY'S TV WITH SARA WALLIS: Jean Charles de Menezes' tragic death explored 20 years on in new drama with Line of Duty star

Daily Mirror

30-04-2025

The temperature may be rising outside as summer approaches, however the TV schedules are just as hot - with so much telly to choose from. Disney+ launches its brand new true crime drama Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes today, starring Line of Duty's Danny Mays and Gavin and Stacey's Russell Tovey.
Written by Cilla's Jeff Pope, the series tells the story of the Brazilian electrician who was tragically killed by police aged just 27 back in 2005. Elsewhere, David Tennant hosts his first game show on ITV, while Amanda Holden hosts a number of cheaters at a luxury Mallorca retreat for her latest Netflix show.
With so much to choose from, here are the top TV picks from Emma Bullimore - who is filling in for Sara Wallis.
Pick of the day
Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, Disney+
Since Mr Bates vs The Post Office reminded us of the power of good telly to spark big conversations, our screens have seen a slew of great dramas inspired by real-life injustices. The latest is this hotly anticipated four-part series about the killing of 27-year old Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot by police at Stockwell tube station in the aftermath of the 7 th July London underground bombings 20 years ago.
Written by biopic maestro Jeff Pope (who penned Cilla and Mrs Biggs to name just two) and supported by the victim's family, it tells the story of an ordinary man who met his untimely death as a result of flawed intelligence and police mistakes. In the febrile atmosphere of the capital city, as London security services were reacting to both the fateful terror incident and an unsuccessful copycat attack, we see the police grappling with a manhunt that ended in tragedy, as de Menezes was misidentified as a suspect. The story continues beyond his death, to show how the Met reacted, and why so many people still think the victim jumped over a station barrier and ran away from the police, when in fact that did not happen at all. Instead, he tapped in with an Oyster card and walked calmly to the escalator.
Featuring an all-star cast including Danny Mays, Russell Tovey and Emily Mortimer, the compelling drama offers a brutally accurate version of an event that is still shrouded in misinformation two decades after it happened.
The Best of the Rest
Genius Game, ITV, 9pm
The Traitors meets The Crystal Maze, with a touch of Golden Balls, as David Tennant brings a fiendish new format to our evenings. To be a contestant on this show, you have to boast some kind of intellectual brilliance – either you're an academic, an entrepreneur or you're just very good at making other people trust you. The 11 contestants are thrown straight in at the deep end, with the first of a series of puzzles designed to test their brains and social skills.
To succeed they will need to outwit their opponents, while also forming important allegiances, but at breakneck speed. Tonight, they will be staging heists at a vault to try to steal million-pound bars. But it's not just a race to get the most money – if they get their strategy wrong they could end up in the final death match and find themselves eliminated from the game.
Cheat: Unfinished Business, Netflix
This isn't the first dating show to put exes face to face. But Amanda Holden's glossy new series is all about the chance of a happy ending – she's reuniting cheaters with their former partners, hoping for rekindled romances rather than dramatic showdowns. Joined by love expert Paul C. Brunson, Amanda encourages the one-time couples to air their feelings, in a bid to work out whether there's any hope for them post-betrayal.
Although their happiness was once wrecked by infidelity, Paul suggests that cheating might not be the ultimate dealbreaker, and that there might be grey areas for the spurned exes to discuss. The eight couples sharing their history at a luxury retreat in Mallorca include Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley and Biggs Chris, who met in 2020 but split just one year later. Will any of them walk out hand in hand, or will their hearts get broken all over again?
EastEnders, BBC1, 7.30pm
Nicola struggles to contain her fury as she and Teddy deal with a delicate situation. Things get worse when an intruder enters Harry's Barn.
Avani is upset with Priya after her row with Callum. Suki encourages Priya to take responsibility for what happened, and to apologise. Meanwhile, Avani visits her dealer, but she can't afford to pay. Joel steps in to help.
Johnny hopes he still has a chance with Felix after his bad date. But their movie afternoon is interrupted by gatecrashers.
Emmerdale, ITV, 7.30pm
Caleb is concerned when he realises the flight number Steph gave him doesn't exist. After logging onto her computer, he discovers her plastic surgery plans. Caleb and Ruby dash to the clinic, and arrive just in time. But Steph insists they can't change her mind.
Sarah tells Vanessa she has started researching IVF to push ahead with having a baby. When Charity turns up, Sarah panics about what she might have overheard. Vanessa encourages Sarah to confide in Charity.
Coronation Street, ITV, 8pm
Knowing that Jenny has just transferred a big lump sum, Daisy is concerned to hear Christina talking to Dom in the back yard of the Rovers. Gary tells Maria he's considering selling the shop and buying the builder's yard instead. Maria insists it's a no-go, but Mick tells Gary to ignore Maria's concerns.
Carla isn't impressed to be left at home with Betsy. It doesn't take her long to work out that Betsy's arm is actually fine, and Lisa returns to chaos.