In Disney+’s new true-crime drama ‘Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes’, the Brazilian/Spanish actor delivers a hauntingly grounded performance that brings clarity—and dignity—to a story that was long distorted by the media.
“Whenever I prepare for a role, I need to live it — not perform it. Especially with something like this,” says Edison Alcaide, reflecting on what it meant to embody Jean Charles de Menezes—the young Brazilian man fatally shot by police in London in 2005 after being mistaken for a terror suspect. His story was reduced to headlines; now, nearly two decades later, Alcaide is helping bring his humanity back into focus.
In the weeks leading up to filming, the actor immersed himself in research and retraced Jean’s steps through the neighbourhood where he once lived. “I walked from his house on Scotia Road to Stockwell Station. I needed to absorb his routine, feel what he felt. That connection was essential.” It was this emotional groundwork that allowed him to confront the most harrowing moments of the shoot — including the scene that reconstructs Jean’s final day. “There was no room for shortcuts. Everyone on set felt the weight of it. It wasn’t about re-enactment; it was about honouring the truth.”
While Edison had previously worked on short films like ‘Comme en France’ and ‘The Paper Boy’, Suspect marked his first leading role in a global production — a shift he approached with cautious optimism. “I’ve done projects that never made it out. A commercial I filmed for WhatsApp was cancelled last minute. So I’ve learnt to keep expectations low until I see something go live. But this time, it meant something.“
Beyond the personal breakthrough, portraying a Brazilian immigrant on a British screen held deeper significance. “London is so diverse, yet that diversity isn’t always reflected in its storytelling. In Suspect, we were able to bring some of Brazil to the screen. The production made the right call casting real Brazilian actors. It brought authenticity to the project.”
The series received glowing reviews and provoked strong emotional reactions. “When people message me to say they felt angry or moved, I know we did something right. If a drama sparks empathy — or outrage — that means it’s working.”
“When viewers feel angry after watching it, that’s the point. Because behind every headline is a human being.”
Edison Alcaide
Multilingual in English, Portuguese and Spanish, he credits his linguistic range as a window into culture. “It’s not just speaking the language. It’s understanding how people think, how they relate, how they carry emotion. That helps me shift between worlds.” He remains open to telling meaningful stories across the UK, Brazil and Spain — “wherever truth needs a voice.”
Working alongside talents like Max Beesley, Emily Mortimer and Russell Tovey gave the project weight, but Alcaide reserves special thanks for the team behind the camera. “Producer Kwadjo Dajan, writer Jeff Pope and director Paul Andrew Williams gave me the freedom to build Jean from within. That trust meant everything.”
Costume also played a critical role in grounding his performance. “What someone wears says so much — about their life, their time, their world. The wardrobe helped me locate Jean in reality.” Off-screen, Alcaide sees fashion as a tool of self-expression. “It’s not about labels. I love mixing pieces from independent designers and vintage finds. Style should always reflect who you are.” His go-to names include YMC, Folk, Indonesia’s SANJE, and Brazilian brands like Retropy and Welcome Sunny Garments.
As British drama evolves through socially engaged titles like ‘Mr. Bates vs The Post Office’ and ‘Adolescence’, Alcaide sees Suspect as part of a necessary cultural shift. “We’re finally addressing stories that matter. Drama has the power to wake people up, to challenge assumptions, to demand accountability.”
Credits:
Photography – Grzegorz Błażewicz
Photography assistant – Cristian Glielmi
Styling – Alessandro Todisco & Valeriia Tyrsano
Photography assist & Grooming – Isabelle Dohmen
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