Broadcasting giant, ITV, have commissioned a three-part biopic depicting Scottish serial killer, Dennis Andrew Nilsen, with David Tennant in the lead role.
The drama, Des, will chronicle the lead-up to Nilsen's arrest all the way through the chilling trial where the public learnt of the audacious crimes.
Dennis Nilsen, a former policeman from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, was believed to have been responsible for fifteen murders - all of young males, one aging 14-years-old.
Written by Luke Neal and developed by Luke Neal and Lewis Arnold, the drama is based on material from the book Killing For Company by Brian Masters, which focuses on one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen.
Told through the prism of three men:
Dennis Nilsen played by David Tennant
DCI Peter Jay played by Daniel Mays
Biographer Brian Masters played by Jason Watkins
The series will explore the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like Nilsen.
Nilsen murdered boys and young men in his flat from 1978 to 1983. He was undetected for five years, and it was only when DCI Peter Jay was called to 23 Cranley Gardens (Muswell Hill, London) on Wednesday 9 February, 1983, to investigate human fragments of flesh and bone clogging the drains, that Metropolitan Police realised they had a serial killer on their hands.
Dennis Nilsen was arrested and convicted at the Old Bailey of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was replaced by a whole life tariff in 1994. He died in May 2018.
Told from both the police and Masters’ point of view, Des will explore how a man like Nilsen was able to prey on the young and vulnerable in 1980s Great Britain. The series will not only highlight the police investigation and trial but also the effect of the media coverage on public perceptions of the victims at the time, raising questions of just how far have we really come since then?
Additional cast members who will appear in Des are; Ron Cook, Faye McKeever, Chanel Cresswell, Barry Ward, Tony Way, Bronagh Waugh, Laurie Kynaston, Ross Anderson, Ben Bailey Smith, Jay Simpson, Silas Carson, Stuart McQuarrie, Jamie Parker, Lex Shrapnel, Gerard Horan, Joel Morris, Jonathan Coy, Amy Booth-Steel, Ken Bones, Andrew Woodall and Amaka Okafor.
Commented ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill:
ITV Head Of Drama, Polly Hill, said:
“This drama starts with Nilsen’s arrest and is looking at him through the eyes of the police officer trying to identify those he killed and deliver justice for them and the biographer he chose to tell his story. David Tennant is going to be brilliant as Dennis Nilsen and with Daniel Mays as Jay and Jason Watkins as Brian, this has an incredible cast to bring this story to screen and we are delighted to be making this with New Pictures for ITV.”
Kim Varvell, Executive Producer for New Pictures, added:
“Dennis Nilsen’s crimes shocked the nation in the early 1980s. Our programme focuses on the emotional impact of those terrible crimes, both on those who came into contact with Nilsen himself, and also on the victims’ families. We’re thrilled to be working with Luke and Lewis on this project, as well as the incredible cast.”
The series is produced by New Pictures - who made shows such as "Catherine The Great" and "The Missing" - in association with All3Media international for ITV and executive produced by Willow Grylls, Kim Varvell, Charlie Pattinson, Elaine Pyke, Luke Neal, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant.
Episodes one and two will be written by Luke Neal and its conclusion is penned by Kelly Jones.
All will be based on material from the book Killing For Company by Brian Masters. Directed by Lewis Arnold and produced by David Meanti, Des has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.
The drama, Des, will chronicle the lead-up to Nilsen's arrest all the way through the chilling trial where the public learnt of the audacious crimes.
Dennis Nilsen, a former policeman from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, was believed to have been responsible for fifteen murders - all of young males, one aging 14-years-old.
Written by Luke Neal and developed by Luke Neal and Lewis Arnold, the drama is based on material from the book Killing For Company by Brian Masters, which focuses on one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen.
Told through the prism of three men:
Dennis Nilsen played by David Tennant
DCI Peter Jay played by Daniel Mays
Biographer Brian Masters played by Jason Watkins
The series will explore the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like Nilsen.
Nilsen murdered boys and young men in his flat from 1978 to 1983. He was undetected for five years, and it was only when DCI Peter Jay was called to 23 Cranley Gardens (Muswell Hill, London) on Wednesday 9 February, 1983, to investigate human fragments of flesh and bone clogging the drains, that Metropolitan Police realised they had a serial killer on their hands.
Dennis Nilsen was arrested and convicted at the Old Bailey of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was replaced by a whole life tariff in 1994. He died in May 2018.
Told from both the police and Masters’ point of view, Des will explore how a man like Nilsen was able to prey on the young and vulnerable in 1980s Great Britain. The series will not only highlight the police investigation and trial but also the effect of the media coverage on public perceptions of the victims at the time, raising questions of just how far have we really come since then?
Additional cast members who will appear in Des are; Ron Cook, Faye McKeever, Chanel Cresswell, Barry Ward, Tony Way, Bronagh Waugh, Laurie Kynaston, Ross Anderson, Ben Bailey Smith, Jay Simpson, Silas Carson, Stuart McQuarrie, Jamie Parker, Lex Shrapnel, Gerard Horan, Joel Morris, Jonathan Coy, Amy Booth-Steel, Ken Bones, Andrew Woodall and Amaka Okafor.
Commented ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill:
ITV Head Of Drama, Polly Hill, said:
“This drama starts with Nilsen’s arrest and is looking at him through the eyes of the police officer trying to identify those he killed and deliver justice for them and the biographer he chose to tell his story. David Tennant is going to be brilliant as Dennis Nilsen and with Daniel Mays as Jay and Jason Watkins as Brian, this has an incredible cast to bring this story to screen and we are delighted to be making this with New Pictures for ITV.”
Kim Varvell, Executive Producer for New Pictures, added:
“Dennis Nilsen’s crimes shocked the nation in the early 1980s. Our programme focuses on the emotional impact of those terrible crimes, both on those who came into contact with Nilsen himself, and also on the victims’ families. We’re thrilled to be working with Luke and Lewis on this project, as well as the incredible cast.”
The series is produced by New Pictures - who made shows such as "Catherine The Great" and "The Missing" - in association with All3Media international for ITV and executive produced by Willow Grylls, Kim Varvell, Charlie Pattinson, Elaine Pyke, Luke Neal, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant.
Episodes one and two will be written by Luke Neal and its conclusion is penned by Kelly Jones.
All will be based on material from the book Killing For Company by Brian Masters. Directed by Lewis Arnold and produced by David Meanti, Des has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.
The resemblance is quite chilling.
Coming soon to ITV/STV/UTV.
Coming soon to ITV/STV/UTV.
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