Netflix adds ‘truly gripping’ British crime drama based on harrowing true story

A ‘truly gripping’ crime drama about one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers has now been added to Netflix.

Des, which originally aired on ITV in 2020, follows the arrest and trial ofDennis Nilsen, played by David Tennant.

The three-part ITV series also stars Line of Duty actors Daniel Mays and Jason Watkins, as well as Ben Bailey Smith.

Following its release five years ago, fans praised the performance of Doctor Who star Tennant as well as the show’s ‘outstanding’ accuracy.

Now, after being added to streaming platform Netflix, the show could well be on its way to being re-discovered as a hidden gem.

Writing on Google reviews at around the time the show originally aired, Julie Morris said: ‘Truly gripping from the very beginning to the very end. Casting was amazing you almost believed your were watching the real Dennis Nilsen! I remember this story vividly and followed it closely – even read Brian Master’s book Killing for Company as soon as it was published.

‘This cannot however prepare you for the behind the scenes issues encountered by the police and the biographer! Marvellous programme!’

Aussie Shazza also wrote: ‘David Tennant is brilliant as Denis Nielsen. The best performance of his career. He nails his cold dark lifeless eyes.

‘Daniel Mays is terrific as Peter Jay, the detective who investigates the murders and wants to keep going until all the victims are identified, so the families can have some closure.

‘The 3 episodes kept me riveted. No actual murders are shown. It’s not a standard murder drama. But it’s so This is well worth watching. But it’s so well done you don’t need the gory bits. It’s chilling enough without them.’

Gillian Gammon added: ‘Tennant was a master in this! What a compelling watch. Played in such a fabulously understated way by all the actors, it was impossible not to try to imagine the smell, the feel of being around Des, the contradiction of chill and calm Tennant, as Nilsen emanated.

‘Gold star watch. I’m ashamed to say I wanted it to last longer.’

Meanwhile, Kevin Cootes argued: David Tennant gives an outstanding performance as Nielsen, to such effect that you forget you are watching an actor.

‘The already fascinating story of this serial killer is dealt with realistically, without any attempt at glorification or sensationalism. The attention to accuracy and outstanding performances from the entire ensemble make this mini series unmissable.’

Referred to as the ‘Kindly Killer’, Nilsen was a civil servant who spent five years murdering boys and young men he met on the streets of London from 1978 to 1983.

When he was finally caught on February 9 1983, Nilsen had murdered as many as 15 men over a period of five years, making him Britain’s most prolific serial killer at the time.

He was sentenced to life in prison on November 4 1983, after being found guilty for six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Nilsen also performed rituals on the people’s bodies and eventually would dispose of the body parts down the toilet.

The killings were undetected until police were called to reports of human remains clogging the drains. Nilsen then died in police custody on May 12 2018 at the age of 72.

Des is available to watch on Netflix.

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