David Tennant stars as serial killer Dennis Nilsen in ITV’s true-crime drama ‘Des‘; Daniel Mays plays Detective Inspector Peter Jay, and Jason Watkins plays biographer Brian Masters.
Main cast
- Dennis NilsenDavid TennantMain
- DI Peter JayDaniel MaysMain
- Brian MastersJason WatkinsMain
Supporting cast
- DCI Geoff BuleyRon CookSupp
- DS Stuart McCollBarry WardSupp
- Alison Jay (Peter’s wife)Jade OguguaSupp
- Ken Hames (Nilsen’s solicitor)Samuel OatleySupp
- Stephen Sinclair (Nilsen’s grandfather)John LynchSupp
- PC David Moss (officer who discovered remains)Fionn O’SheaSupp
- James (McTavish’s son)Dylan WoodSupp
Guest & voice
- Brian Masters (voiceover for his book passages)Jason WatkinsVoice
- Dr. James Cruickshank (prison psychiatrist)Jay SimpsonGuest
- Jacqueline McCall (Nilsen’s cousin)Sofia OxenhamGuest
- Donald Stewart (Nilsen’s cellmate)Richard BlackwoodGuest
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About this cast
Des is a 2020 ITV true-crime drama series centred on the arrest and conviction of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. David Tennant leads as Nilsen, with Daniel Mays as the determined DI Peter Jay and Jason Watkins as Nilsen’s biographer Brian Masters, exploring the psychological complexities behind the murders.
FAQs
Who plays Dennis Nilsen in Des?
David Tennant portrays Dennis Nilsen.
Is Des based on a true story?
Yes, the series is based on the real-life arrest and trial of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, who murdered at least 12 young men in London between 1978 and 1983.
How many episodes are in Des?
Des is a three-part miniseries, with each episode running approximately 45 minutes.
Where was Des filmed?
The series was filmed in and around Belfast, Northern Ireland, and at various locations in London, including the actual sites of Nilsen’s crimes (e.g., 23 Cranley Gardens and 195 Melrose Avenue).
Did David Tennant meet the real Dennis Nilsen?
No, David Tennant did not meet Nilsen; he based his performance on recorded interviews, court transcripts, and the biography ‘Killing for Company’ by Brian Masters.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026