David Tennant’s Chilling Three-Part Crime Masterpiece Earned Him An International Emmy — And His Performance Is Being Called One Of The Finest Of His Career

David Tennant delivered one of British television’s most memorable detective performances in Broadchurch, but a lesser-known ITV crime drama saw the Scottish actor undergo an extraordinary transformation that earned him international recognition.

In Des, the acclaimed three-part miniseries released in 2020, Tennant abandons his familiar role as a troubled investigator to portray one of Britain’s most notorious real-life serial killers.

The result is a deeply unsettling true-crime drama that received widespread critical acclaim, earned Tennant an International Emmy Award and continues to stand among his most celebrated performances.

With just three episodes, Des offers a gripping viewing experience for audiences who appreciate psychologically complex crime stories.

From Broadchurch Detective To A Real-Life Serial Killer

Tennant became a household name through Doctor Who, but his portrayal of Detective Inspector Alec Hardy in Broadchurch demonstrated his ability to command a darker, emotionally demanding drama.

Alongside Olivia Colman, he helped make the ITV mystery one of Britain’s most acclaimed crime series.

The show ran for three seasons between 2013 and 2017, exploring devastating crimes and their consequences for a close-knit community.

Three years after Broadchurch concluded, Tennant returned to ITV crime drama in a dramatically different role.

Rather than investigating a murderer, he was portraying one.

Des tells the story of Dennis Nilsen, a Scottish serial killer responsible for murdering numerous young men and boys in London between 1978 and 1983.

Nilsen was arrested in 1983 after human remains were discovered in drainage pipes near his home.

The miniseries explores the investigation into his crimes and the disturbing questions surrounding the man responsible.

A Terrifying Performance Without The Usual Horror

What makes Tennant’s portrayal particularly unsettling is its restraint.

Rather than presenting Nilsen as an exaggerated screen villain, Tennant depicts him as a quiet, seemingly ordinary individual whose outward composure conceals horrifying acts.

His controlled movements, subdued manner and unnerving calmness create an atmosphere of psychological tension.

The performance deliberately avoids the theatrical excess sometimes associated with fictional serial killers.

Instead, the horror emerges from the contrast between Nilsen’s everyday appearance and the crimes he committed.

That understated approach became one of the most frequently praised elements of the series.

Radio Times described Tennant’s work as one of the strongest performances of his distinguished career.

The True Story Behind Des

The drama was co-created and directed by Lewis Arnold, who had previously worked on the third season of Broadchurch.

Across three episodes, the series examines the investigation into Nilsen’s crimes while exploring his interactions with the authorities.

The story focuses on the disturbing reality of a killer who appeared capable of discussing his actions with extraordinary detachment.

Tennant prepared extensively for the role, studying surviving footage and audio recordings of Nilsen.

Speaking to Radio Times, the actor explained that archival interviews and home movies helped him understand Nilsen’s movements and speech patterns.

He also examined notebooks written by Nilsen during his imprisonment.

These materials allowed Tennant to develop a performance rooted in the documented behaviour of the real individual rather than relying on familiar crime-drama stereotypes.

Why The Series Avoids Sensationalising Its Subject

One of the defining features of Des is its approach to disturbing real-life material.

Tennant explained that the creative team did not want to turn the story into a conventional horror film.

Instead, their aim was to examine Nilsen’s psychology and the circumstances surrounding his crimes without treating the violence as entertainment.

This gives the drama a different atmosphere from more action-driven crime thrillers.

Rather than depending on constant suspense sequences, the series builds tension through conversations, investigations and the unsettling behaviour of its central figure.

The restrained storytelling makes the subject matter no less disturbing.

Indeed, the absence of exaggerated horror often makes the reality of the crimes feel even more chilling.

A 90% Rotten Tomatoes Score And An International Emmy

The critical response to Des was overwhelmingly positive.

As of November 3, 2026, the miniseries held a 90% critics’ score and a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Tennant’s performance was repeatedly singled out for praise, with reviewers highlighting the extraordinary contrast between his portrayal of Nilsen and his earlier work in Broadchurch.

His achievement was recognised internationally in 2021 when he won the International Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actor.

The award confirmed the significance of a role that required him to portray a deeply disturbing real-life figure with remarkable subtlety.

Three Episodes That Leave A Lasting Impression

For viewers accustomed to lengthy crime dramas, Des offers a comparatively short but intense experience.

The complete story unfolds across three episodes, making the series possible to watch in a single evening.

However, its psychological subject matter makes it considerably more demanding than a conventional detective mystery.

The drama’s focus on a real serial killer and the investigation into his crimes may be unsettling for some audiences.

For those who appreciate serious true-crime storytelling, however, the miniseries offers a compelling combination of strong direction, careful characterisation and an exceptional central performance.

One Of David Tennant’s Most Remarkable Roles

From the charismatic Time Lord in Doctor Who to the troubled detective in Broadchurch, Tennant has demonstrated extraordinary versatility throughout his career.

But Des reveals another dimension of his abilities.

By portraying Dennis Nilsen with such unnerving restraint, Tennant transforms a familiar true-crime story into an intensely psychological television drama.

With three episodes, a 90% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score and an International Emmy-winning performance, Des remains one of David Tennant’s most chilling achievements — and an essential discovery for viewers who admired his work in Broadchurch.