David Tennant’s Shocking True Crime Role

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As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the diverse and captivating roles that David Tennant continues to bring to life on our screens. Whether it’s his portrayal of a detective with a complicated past in Broadchurch or a fallen demon in Good Omens, Tennant never fails to impress. However, it’s his performance in Des, a riveting miniseries inspired by a chilling true-crime tale, that truly sets him apart.

In an engrossing three-part true crime miniseries, Tennant portrays Dennis Nilsen, also known as Des, a notorious Scottish serial killer. Famous for dismembering human bodies and storing them in a drain pipe during the 1980s, this actor’s chameleonic talent is strikingly showcased in Des, challenging those who know Tennant merely as a witty time-traveler or a scandalous detective to witness his powerful, eerie transformation.

The Harrowing True Story Behind ‘Des’

Des, a gripping true-crime miniseries from Lewis Arnold and Luke Neal, premiered on ITV in September 2020. This British production tells the chilling tale based on the arrest of Dennis Nilsen, also known as Des, a Scottish serial killer and necrophile, who was apprehended in February 1983. Nilsen was found guilty of six murder charges, but it’s believed he may have killed up to 12 boys and young men between 1978 and 1983. His capture came about when the remains of his victims, which he had stuffed into a drain pipe, caused a significant blockage and overflow.

The first part of the three-part series begins by showing Nilsen’s apprehension, leaving the law enforcement officials stunned, as they couldn’t believe that a seemingly harmless and unassuming individual could have perpetrated such gruesome crimes undetected for five years in their presence. The second episode delves into the criminal investigation, spearheaded by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay (Daniel Mays), who diligently gathers proof to warrant a murder trial. Ultimately, the third and concluding part of the series presents Nilsen’s courtroom drama, where he stands accused of multiple murders.

David Tennant’s Stunning Transformation

Fans of “Doctor Who” and “Broadchurch” will find David Tennant’s chilling portrayal of the character Des utterly captivating. Unlike the lively, humorous roles he’s played in the past, Tennant delves deep into the role of a reprehensible, self-absorbed serial killer like never before. The character Nilsen is both withdrawn and coldly calculating, and Tennant’s understated performance is just as unsettling as the gruesome actions his character carries out on screen.

A key part of Tennant’s approach in bringing such a unique character to life involved spending minimal time with the rest of the cast while filming. Instead, he would head home after a day’s work, ensuring there was as much separation as possible between himself and those playing the police. This method, while not quite reaching the extreme level of method acting, produced captivating outcomes that are hard to dispute.

In the 49th International Emmy Awards held in 2021, Tennant was recognized as Best Actor for his outstanding portrayal in Des. The resemblance of his character to the actual Nilsen, who served as a union leader, was highly appreciated by critics for its chilling realism. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently boasts a 90% Tomato Meter and a 97% Popcorn Meter score, which mirrors the exceptional storytelling quality of Broadchurch (92% and 91%, respectively).

Why ‘Broadchurch’ Fans Need To See ‘Des’

Apart from David Tennant’s captivating portrayal, Lewis Arnold is a significant draw for watching Des. As fate would have it, they first crossed paths during the production of Broadchurch in 2017, when Arnold helmed Season 3, Episode 6. Coincidentally, Tennant was reading Luke Neal’s script for Des around the same time, and Arnold and Neal were simultaneously working on it. This serendipitous timing led to their collaboration on the series.

Once he read the script for Des, it became a passion project for Tennant. According to Neal:

At this stage, there was no attention from film production companies or similar entities. However, Tennant expressed his desire to be involved. In essence, it can’t be overstated that he was the one who made this happen.

Instead of following the typical pattern found in many true-crime series where they create a thrilling mystery surrounding a murder, Des breaks this mold right from the beginning. In this series, Nilsen is arrested at the start, and the narrative then unfolds backwards to reveal the sinister motivations behind his actions. However, as we delve into Nilsen’s heinous crimes, the show also focuses on the psychological effects these investigations have on those working to solve the case, making it just as much about their experiences as it is about understanding the killer’s twisted psyche.

Furthermore, the entire miniseries titled “Des” is helmed by a single director: Arnold. This breaks away from the common practice of sharing directing responsibilities among several creators, which can dilute the original artistic intent. By keeping the kitchen metaphorically free of too many cooks, Des remains a tightly-knit and consistently high-quality narrative. In essence, limiting the miniseries to only three episodes ensures that unnecessary filler is avoided, a common pitfall that can transform a promising TV series into an ordinary and forgettable one. However, fans of “Broadchurch” will undeniably appreciate David Tennant’s versatility as an actor in Des.

Des is available to stream on AMC+ & BritBox.

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2025-07-05 22:34