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Netflix filming controversial Grenfell fire tragedy documentary after victims’ families begged to be left alone
Some even threatened to disrupt any filming in the neighbourhood
NETFLIX is making a documentary about the Grenfell Tower fire which is likely to air around the eight-year anniversary of the disaster this summer.
The streaming giant has spent the past year working on the show, which centres on the blaze at the block of flats in West London that killed 72 people and injured dozens more.
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It’s the latest attempt to chronicle the heartbreaking events of June 14, 2017 — with a play at the National Theatre in 2023 and a three-part BBC TV drama in the works.
But Netflix’s show could turn out to be one of the most controversial retellings.
A TV insider said: “In recent years there has been a backlash against the constant attention on Grenfell from outsiders.
Referring to last September’s damning report, which found a chain of failures and dishonesty led to the disaster, they added: “The dust has barely settled on the official report produced by the Grenfell inquiry, which the local community is still absorbing.
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“Now the streaming giant will be pushing the same people back into the spotlight.”
When the BBC and National Theatre dramas were revealed in 2023, angry survivors pleaded for the plans to be shelved.
Some even threatened to disrupt any filming in the neighbourhood.
One said: “The proper way you tell the story happens 20 years after, when all the hidden stuff is out.”
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But Netflix has a history of revisiting dark chapters in British history.
In 2022, it produced a two-part documentary about prolific abuser Jimmy Savile, called A British Horror Story.
Only manslaughter charges will bring justice, families of Grenfell victims blast as report lays bare raft of failings
It also looked at the murders of Peter Sutcliffe in 2020 docuseries The Ripper, despite many of his victims’ families insisting he should not be referred to by this moniker.
Here’s hoping Netflix’s new documentary actually helps the people of Grenfell, rather than just forcing them to relive all the pain.
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Jeremy’s Keen to get rich: chasing dreams of wealth!
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HOST Jeremy Clarkson is about to grill a host of famous faces for the celebrity version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
The guest list for the five ITV specials, starting this Sunday, include comic Stephen Fry, Strictly’s Anton Du Beke and former Olympic cyclist Dame Laura Kenny.
But Jeremy knows which of his pals from The Grand Tour he would like to see in the chair of the quiz show – and it might not be who you think.
Jeremy said: “Richard Hammond is really sharp. He is probably the sharpest of all of us. He is a celebrity I would love on the series.
“James May would never do it as it would expose huge gaps in his knowledge. He has good intellect but doesn’t know anything. It’s extraordinary.
“He can take a gear box apart but take a question about Die Hard and he’d have no clue what you were on about.”
DISNEY+ has cancelled hit comedy Extraordinary after two series, despite its cliffhanger ending.
The edgy show, nominated for a number of awards last year, stars Irish actress Mairead Tyers and Poldark star Sofia Oxenham as chaotic flatmates with superpowers.
A NEW BBC Two documentary will look at the lives of four young people in wartorn Gaza.
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It was filmed out of reach of the press to show what it is like in the humanitarian “safe zones” and reveal the efforts of the only functioning hospital.
Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone airs mid February.
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