Disney has defended its decision to make a TV show about the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings despite facing a backlash from victims.
Victims of the terror attacks – which killed 52 people and injured hundreds more in July 2005 - accused the entertainment giant of showing a “lack of respect” after pictures of the highly realistic sets leaked.
The sets included a replica of the No 30 double decker bus blown up in Tavistock Square.
However, a spokesman for Disney said the series was a factual dramatisation that had been “approached with the utmost sensitivity and respect, and all involved are conscious of the huge responsibility that comes with telling this story”.
Disney+ drama Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes focuses on the manhunt for terrorists following the 7/7 bombings as well as the killing of the innocent Brazilian, 27.
Mr de Menezes, wrongly suspected of involvement in a terror plot, was shot dead by police on a Tube train at Stockwell in 2005.
Photos show actors playing him and the pursuing police racing into the station.
The parents of Mr de Menezes and other relatives are serving as consultants for the controversial series.
However, several victims of the attacks - which left more than 700 people injured – branded Disney “shameful” for creating the show.
Daniel Biddle, who lost his legs in the atrocity, said: “It's absolutely shameful. I can't ever forget 7/7 or get over it. This is a lack of respect.”
George Psaradakis, who was driving the bus when it was blown up, told The Sun on Sunday: “I'm not going to watch it. It's tasteless. This will bring pain to everyone, especially to those who lost their loved ones.”
A spokesperson for Disney+ said: “The team producing the series has significant expertise in this type of programming, incorporating extensive in-depth research that has been approached with the utmost sensitivity and respect, and all involved are conscious of the huge responsibility that comes with telling this story.
"Throughout filming production have worked very closely with [Transport for London], police, the council, community and businesses to ensure all were aware ahead of time that filming was taking place with marshals and signage canvassing the area on the day."
