To feel a programme dramatising Shannon Matthew's disappearance is in poor taste?

[Annie592]

I watched it. I quite enjoyed it. (I think Sheridan Smith is amazing.). But it doesn't sit quite right with me. I want to be able to say why, but I can't explain it. Maybe because a real life case of a nine year old's abuse doesn't feel like something that should be used for entertainment? Wondering if anyone agrees and can articulate it better? Or whether it's actually an important topic to talk about and I'm being stupid. I honestly don't know. Would appreciate mumsnet thoughts!

Interestingly this is the top trend on Twitter which is now down.

I didn't watch it. I rate Sheridan Smith so much, but I don't think the BBC should have commissioned this.

Just being honest Worra! I guess there was a part of my brain that 'enjoyed' it, in the same way I enjoyed The Missing, or any other crime drama- except in this case, it wasn't fiction, it wasn't really that long ago, and made me feel uncomfortable, and a bit guilty after watching it, hence the post! Being human can be conflicting- who knew?!

Lots of interesting POV. I think the BBC would be much less likely to make a similar drama about Madeleine though Emerald Scorn - which in itself speaks volumes. And why do people feel more comfortable watching factual programmes on the topic- when in reality they're also put on for entertainment? (Genuine question).

I get that the focus was more on how that community really came together- but somehow even that felt a bit patronisingly done to me. I didn't feel like they played Karen as a victim really- I actually think it might have been more interesting to focus on that- because that's what it comes down to isn't it, what people really can't get their heads round, how a mother could do that. I should blame the men involved just as much- but I wouldn't have even remembered their names.

Strangely enough, this awful incident did get Shannon and her siblings out of that hellish family situation, which can only be a good thing. It's kind of sad that all that "community support" didn't come their way before the kidnapping, though most of their close neighbors, family and friends must have been aware at least to some extent of how those kids were being treated.

Not sure if I'll watch or not. I find it concerning that there doesn't seem to have been support for Shannon from this programme. She may be an 'adult' but really, at 18 she's not likely to be a resilient mature adult with a great support network is she?

She's young and probably a care leaver without the consistency of adults who care mentoring her and helping her create her own future.

Poor kid.

I heard that interview on Front Row, pamish and I thought he came across appallingly badly, clearly not giving a damn about any potential impact on Shannon herself. She hadn't been approached at all about it so he has no idea of her feelings, and he kept repeating that "It wasn't about Shannon" so that's okay then.

Sheridan Smith has plummeted in my estimation and respect. All those involved should be ashamed of themselves for exploiting Shannon.

I heard the Radio 4 interview and thought the interviewer didn't give the producer a hard enough time. He said he'd had sleepless nights, he deserves more.

I too heard the executive producer talking about it on Front Row (BBC Radio 4 at 7.15 last night). He was so breathtakingly arrogant that I decided not to watch. He refused to accept that it was 'about' Shannon and therefore she (and her siblings) would be affected. He really thinks he's made some groundbreaking piece of truth telling information - he even refused to accept it was a form of entertainment based on the abuse of a child.

YANBU, I didn't watch it for that reason. The girl was drugged and tied up by someone who she thought she could trust and now it's all over the news again - why make her relive it?
What was surprising that the liaison officer apparently was heavily involved in the programme (she was interviewed on the One Show last night) and gave really intimate details of the case. It's not exactly professional of her is it?

I was surprised that it's been made, it feels so recent still

I'm still puzzled that this level of indignation doesn't apply to other cases. Take the Lindy Chamberlain case, for instance; her child disappeared in 1980, there was a big programme on Australian TV in 1983, and a major Hollywood film in 1988. There have been numerous programmes over the years about the Moors murders. Fred West died in 1995, and there was a whole series about the murders in 2001. Peter Falconio disappeared, presumed killed, in 2001, and a programme about the case appeared in 2007. In all those cases there were people still alive who would be affected by the programmes/films. Should none of the films have been shown?

We started to watch it, but couldn't understand what he characters were saying and gave up.

May sound ridiculous, but it's true

Yes, it does sound ridiculous.

Choli I agree , the 'community ' spirit only emerged once the media arrived.

I don't necessarily disagree with true life being dramatized- for example, all the books which are based on a true story- but this was in extremely bad taste. A decent real-life story, fine. A programme whic dramatizes the pain and suffering of an innocent child for the sole purpose of boosting ratings- not fine.

For those who are asking if she was informed before the programme aired, she may have had some idea. There has been talks if making a movie/miniseries about it since about 2012.

Choli I agree , the 'community ' spirit only emerged once the media arrived.""

The children were in the then "At Risk" register. Threaseholds were lower and some mistakes were made.

As a member of the public, you can't remove children. The family were to an extent being 'propped up' by neighbors, but there was nothing more that they could do.

The report into the whole SS involvement was publiced because her Dad was successful in having it blocked, for Shannons sake.

This is precisely why it shouldn't have been shown. This has all been answered and is available online, but every thread on every forum/comments will have this stuff in.

I hope that none of the Children feel the need to come to answer all this, or the friends of the children, who will still feel the fallout.

I wonder if Sheridan Smith's characters daughter was actually pregnant during the case? Or if that is just another dig at the estate.

I get you OP, I enjoyed it too and I am looking forward to next week.

I watched and did feel uncomfortable. The acting was terrible and the whole thing very patronising. Poor Shannon.

I wouldn't watch it - didn't watch the Colin Howell drama either. It just feels like gape sake. The children involved have had their lives blighted by the original event and to have it all brought up seems unkind to me.

Are we seeing Karen as a victim because she's a woman? She's a child abuser and a deeply unpleasant and manipulative woman. On a par with Philpott.

Anyway that aside amazed some people couldn't understand the accents as they weren't strong. Subtitles???

I thought it was interesting and well acted, very well by the actors playing Karen and her partner. Will watch with interest next week.

Not sure about patronising to be fair. from what I recall the actors resembled the RL people and the estate looked genuine.

As a District nurse working in some bloody rough areas the houses and living situations rang true to me.

Rugby I think the same thing, Karen was not a victim in this situation - if you look at real footage of her she's smiling and enjoying the limelight, just like Mick Philpott did and the others I mentioned earlier. There's a clip I can't find but from a doc where she is looking and talking to the camera all upset and as she turns away she is smirking.

Karen is not a victim,she spun that angle thinking she would get away with it.I didnt see that programme.

But i watched a programme cant think of the name of it.But she was smirking.She loved the limelight.

7Sunshine yes totally agree. Have you watched 'crocodile tears' on u tube? Really interesting seeing people like her and Philpott etc play acting grief and the subtle clues they are lying.

To be honest at least Shannon and her siblings escaped this vile abuser. Maybe that's a crumb of poor comfort for them.

Karen is not a victim That's certainly true

Sheridan Smith seems to be a bit bonkers but she is an excellent actress and normally I would watch something featuring her. On this occasion, though, I won't watch. As others have said it's not an appropriate topic. Can't believe they actually aired this.