Des is a three-part drama which follows the arrest and trial of infamous serial killer Dennis Nilsen (David Tennant). Written by Luke Neal, the drama is based on material from the book Killing for Company by Brian Masters. It is directed by Lewis Arnold and it co-stars Daniel Mays and Jason Watkins, alongside Tennant.
One of the key aspects of ITV’s TV line-up any given year is the true crime drama series that they produce; whether it is The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021), Little Boy Blue (2017), or Mrs Biggs (2012), they thrive off this type of content and do it better than most. This is the case again with Des (2020), where they are tackling one of the most infamous and gruesome killers in recent British history, and it brought them great acclaim and ratings. Whether due to the quality of the show, a country under quarantine restrictions and looking for something to watch, or due to the great popularity of David Tennant, the show was able to attract over 10 million viewers each episode and be one of ITVs biggest hits for years.
As for the show itself, it is a smart, respectful, but deeply compelling look at the man behind the murders, and the battle to find all the identities of the victims and bring them some sense of justice by arresting Nilsen and make sure he faces the longest conviction he can. The story is told from the perspectives of DCI Peter Jay (Daniel Mays) and biographer Brian Masters, as both of them in their individual ways get to know Nilsen after his arrest and work out who he really is. In doing this, it doesn’t make Nilsen sympathetic in anyway by making him the protagonist or the audience’s eyes to the story, he is just the focus via these men.
The three episodes play out in a slow build but gripping and at times shocking fashion, as new revelations come to light and Nilsen reveals himself even more, you feel gripped to the screen. The choice to tell the story of just three nights worlds perfectly, as there is no baggage and the story is told tightly in the time that it needed. It also perfectly portrays the graphic horror of these crimes, without ever having to show them to us, and I think this is a great way to have handled something where it is necessary to emphasise the seriousness of the crimes, but also respect the victims and their families.
The show touches on some more topical elements about how society at the time allowed Nilsen to get away with his crimes, and the homeless crisis and mistreatment of gay men in Thatcher’s Britain left these men incredibly vulnerable to a predator like Nilsen. It would have been fascinating if the show had addressed this in more detail, but it is clear that the show only wants to touch on this and stay more focused on being a character study of a killer.
Both Mays and Watkins do a really good job as the audience’s way into the story, providing some heart and two differing perspectives on Nilsen and his real motives. However, the real star of the show is the remarkable David Tennant, who for years has been told (rightly) he bares a striking resemblance to Nilsen, and here utterly transforms into the chain-smoking serial killer. His performance is incredibly restrained, never breaking into melodrama or attempting to steal scenes, but Tennant’s natural charisma and the dead eyed stare he brings to Nilsen does that anyone. He draws you in just enough, and then repulses you again, with a terrifying ease. There are very few people on British TV who are as good as David Tennant.
Overall, this show is a perfect example of why no country does true crime drama’s as good as this one, and proof even more that David Tennant is one of the most talented actors of his generation, full of range that very few can match.
Rating = 4/5
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