Dramatic scenes as ‘cops’ descend on Tube station during filming of controversial 7/7 Disney series… after victims’ fury
ACTORS playing cops dramatically descended on a Tube station during filming for a controversial TV series on the 7/7 London bombings.
Disney chiefs have faced backlash for the graphic drama – and today recreated the shocking shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell station in South London.
The Sun revealed the first images of the visually horrifying scenes after the re-enactment first came under fire this weekend for blowing up a London bus in public – terrifying onlookers.
The filming recreates the July 2005 attacks in which a bus was blown apart and three tube trains were also bombed, leaving 56 dead with survivors labelling the production “shameful”.
Disney executives were yesterday set to meet to decide whether to axe all of the gruesome scenes which threaten their family friendly image after backlash from survivors and families.
A source said: “They’re furious at the top – nobody seemed to have realised the sensitivity around recreating such horrific events in full view of the London public.
“Disney are very anxious at how this might impact their brand. It might well lead to some serious re-thinking.”
Exclusive images show wrongfully accused Brazilian man Jean Charles de Menezes being chased into Stockwell Underground Station by armed cops, before he was shot dead by cops.
He had been misidentified as a fugitive from the previous day’s bomb attacks.
The incident prompted protests and apologies from then Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw – and two major public inquiries – with the police eventually paying a compensation settlement to De Menezes’ family.
The drama re-enactment is being made by ITV Studios, and written by top Bafta winning screenwriter Jeff Pope, for Disney Plus – the entertainment giant’s streaming service.
When the first images of the filming carnage emerged in The Sun on Sunday, Daniel Biddle who was the most badly injured survivor of the attacks having lost both legs, and eye and his spleen, said: “It’s absolutely shameful. I can’t ever forget 7/7 or get over it. This is a lack of respect by Disney.
“It’s pretty sick not to consult those who were injured or the loved ones of those who lost their lives.”
The terror atrocity remains the worst on UK soil.
A replica of the Number 30 double decker which had its roof blown off in a blast in London’s Tavistock Square, killing 13, was in Bermondsey – less than two miles from the original blast – with onlookers telling how there was just one sign warning of the live set.
Mum Kathy Adu, 30, said: “It was scary.”
Student Tom Evans, 22, said: “I can see why people would be upset. It looked very real.”
Jack Nuzum, 30, added: “There was one sign up warning us and then suddenly there was a huge bus crash in the middle of the park that looked like a disaster scene.”
Southwark council, which was paid for allowing filming, said: “We were assured the whole production was being handled with the utmost sensitivity. We do however, apologise for any distress caused.”
And Disney have insisted the show is “a factual dramatisation”, adding: “The team producing the series has significant expertise in this type of programming.
“In-depth research has been approached with utmost sensitivity. All involved are conscious of the responsibility that comes with telling this story.
“Throughout filming, production have worked very closely with TFL, police, the council, community and businesses.”