DES: S01E03

​Des: Series 1/Episode 3
Wednesday 16 September 2020
ITV/STV/UTV
21:00

Written by Luke Neal
Directed by Lewis Arnold

Series Producer: David Meanti
Executive Producer: Kim Varvell
Executive Producer: Lewis Arnold
Executive Producer: Willow Grylls
Executive Producer: Charlie Pattinson
Executive Producer: Elaine Pyke
Executive Producer: Luke Neal
Executive Producer: David Tennant

Reeling from Des' change in plea, Jay and the police throw themselves into proving premeditation.  If they can show the court that Des was undoubtedly of sound mind when he committed his crimes, he will go down and never be released.  If they fail, Des could get a cushier sentence on diminished responsibility and effectively escape justice.

As the trial begins and the defence start to tear strips off key witnesses, Jay and his team are shocked by just how flimsy their case against Nilsen seems to be.  Could this seemingly open-and-shut murder investigation really be close to collapsing?  Meanwhile, Brian is forced to watch the trial unfold in front of him, anxiously wondering how much of an effect his 'friendship' with Nilsen may have had on this turn of events.

STARRING

David Tennant as Dennis "Des" Nilsen
Jason Watkins as Brian Masters
Bronagh Waugh as Charlotte Proctor
Laurie Kynaston as Carl Stottor
Chanel Cresswell as Lesley Mead
Pip Torrens as Ivan Lawrence QC
Daniel Mays as DCI Peter Jay
Jamie Parker as Allan Green QC
Faye McKeever as Linda Jay
Ben Bailey Smith as DC Brian Lodge
Silas Carson as Russell Cavendish
Ron Cook as Det. Chief Supt. Geoff Chambers
Jay Simpson as DS Chris Healey
Ross Anderson as Douglas Stewart
Barry Ward as DI Steve McCusker
Andrew Woodall as Professor Hardy