The first of a three-part drama series about Fraserburgh-born serial killer Dennis Nilsen and starring David Tennant will air tonight.
The 72-year-old died in HMP Full Sutton in 2018 – 34 years into a life sentence handed down to him after being convicted of six murders and two attempted murders.
The former soldier moved to London in the 1970. He later became known as the Muswell Hill Murderer for his horrific crimes which shocked the nation.
Although never proven, he is believed to have killed as many as 15 young men, most of them homeless homosexuals, after luring them into his north London home.
He would strangle or drown his victims then sit with them for days before disposing of the bodies.
It was Nilsen’s choice of disposal that eventually led to his capture.
In February 1983, police were called to 23 Cranley Gardens, in the Muswell Hill district of London after neighbours complained about foul smells coming from the drains.
A workman made the grim discovery of hunks of rotting human flesh clogging up the pipes.
After raiding his home, officers also discovered remains in his flat.
‘Des’
It was revealed last year Doctor Who Star David Tennant would portray the Scottish serial killer in the three-part series, Des.
Many commented on the resemblance between the two men after images were released showing Tennant wearing Nilsen’s recognisable glasses and blue shirt.
The drama is based on material from Brian Masters’ book Killing For Company, and covers Nilsen’s arrest and trial.
It is told from the view of Nilsen, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay being played by Daniel Mays, and biographer Brian Masters portrayed by Jason Watkins.
The trailer, that has attracted more than 99,000 views online, shows Tennant during police questioning and their investigations.
‘Tennant: It’s right and proper show airs after Nilsen’s death’
Previously the Broadchurch star has spoken of his relief that the serial killer is not alive to watch the forthcoming series about his arrest and trial.
He said: “I think after he was arrested, one of the things that Dennis Nilsen became obsessed with was the legend of ‘Des’ and the reputation he would leave behind.
“It was his own self-publicity which is something he would come back to again and again. And even in prison, whenever he slipped out of public consciousness there was almost a sense that he wanted to get back into it.
“Which is why I’m very relieved – because when we started developing this he was still alive – I’m relieved he’s not, because I would hate for this to go out and for him to be sitting in a cell somewhere imagining that we were in any way glorifying him.
“I’m sure he would have complained about everything, but at the same time would have been rather smugly pleased that he was on television.
“So I think it’s right and proper that this is transmitting after he’s gone.”
