Des

I know - he is a great actor. But this series proofs more. Because he gives a brilliant game of nuances , fascinating, off course, but , more important convincing in the most creepy way. Portrait of a serial killer is the soft definition. But you feel , slice by scene than it is more. A high demonstration of unique science to explore the character in fair and precise manner. In this case, the performance of David Tennant becomes a story itself.

Some extremely fine acting a compelling and horrifying true story done right by the cast! One of the best mini series for a while on ITV!

I need to watch some 10th Doctor Who episodes now, to bring back image of David's smiling face into my head, and replace this deeply disturbing and blood chilling character from DES. 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. Wonderful performance!!!! The whole cast deserves standing ovation for this show. Well worth watching this one.

It's really commendable for the creators of "Des" to chronicle the story of Dennis Nilsen's conviction without ever venturing in to territory which could've so easily become sensationalist or disrespectful to any of his victims - had other people been entrusted to helm the major undertaking for the broadcaster instead.

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, alternatively opting to explore his unconscionable vulgarities through the depiction of their lasting consequences; the resulting trauma, pain & grief endured by those who either survived or lost loved ones.

It's this admirable creative decision - 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.

It's an old and massively overused cliché, but still very reliable: reality is far more astounding, far more unbelievable, and far more disturbing than any fictional story could ever be! Of course, this is most applicable to the film/TV adaptations of true-crime stories, like biographies or semi-documentaries revolving around serial killers.

I've read countless biographies and factual reports on real-life serial killers, but the case of Dennis "Des" Nilsen undoubtedly is the one of the most uncanny ones in the history of human darkness. It's nearly impossible to believe that this seemingly dull and miserable looking man actually was such a stoic, relentless monster and, even more unlikely, capable of misleading the authorities before and during the discovery of his atrocities. Between 1978 and 1983, Des - a nickname he mainly just uses himself - murdered between 8 and 15 young men and boys. More disturbingly even, he kept the corpses near him for longer periods, to talk to or watch TV with, before boiling the parts or hide them underneath the floors of his apartments.

Particularly the first half of this mini-series is brilliantly tense, grim and compelling. 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. The second half, mainly revolving about the interactions between Nilsen and his biographer, and the trial, is far less overwhelming, but nevertheless very competent television-making.