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Des (2020)
2020 · Biography,Crime,Drama · dramatized-true-crime, crime-procedural, crime-psychological-profiler
Des is a taut, three-part ITV true-crime dramatisation of the arrest, investigation, and trial of British serial killer Dennis Nilsen, played by David Tennant in what reviewers unanimously describe as a career-defining, BAFTA-calibre performance. The show's defining creative choice is restraint: rather than sensationalising Nilsen's crimes, it grounds the narrative in the perspectives of survivors, bereaved families, the dogged detective Peter Jay, and biographer Brian Masters, letting the horror emerge through psychological detachment and consequence rather than graphic spectacle. The result is a deeply uncomfortable but critically admired piece of prestige British television — deliberate in pace, dialogue-heavy, and anchored entirely in performance. Its audience is true-crime viewers who value moral seriousness and craft over shock value.
From the reviewers
The show somehow manages to strike the perfect balance between depicting the irredeemable monstrosity of the title character - played expertly by indomitable talent, David Tennant - whilst simultaneously refraining from ever glorifying his role or his crimes
conscientiously grounding the narrative in the perspectives of humanity (rather than indulging in the inhumanity) - which elevates the material & solidifies the season as one of the best ITV has released in recent memory - as disturbing & uncomfortable as it remains to watch
David Tennant's portrayal of Dennis Nilsen is chilling. His resemblance to the serial killer is frighteningly uncanny. This is yet another masterclass in acting from Tennant who really can perform any role he is given at an extraordinarily high level.
David Tennant blew me away with his performance - he managed to be more creepy and disturbing than the actual Dennis Nielsen. It sucks out all the joy from this world, and leaves you speechless and broken.
Nilsen, indifferent about the fact that he finally has been arrested, narrates his atrocious crimes as if he's reading out a groceries' list. In practically every review available on the Internet, David Tennant is extendedly endorsed for his portrayal of Nilsen, and it's more than justified. The resemblance is eerie, but his emotionless and stoic body language is even more impressive.
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