About Des

Serial killer Dennis Nilsen was arrested in 1983: he readily admitted to all the murders but didn't remember any of the victims' names, thus launching the biggest police investigation in UK history.

1983: a grisly discovery alerts Hornsey Police to a serial killer operating under their noses for years, and DI Peter Jay is stunned when civil servant Dennis 'Des' Nilsen admits to killing multiple men.

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"Des"

"Des" is an incredibly captivating series based on true events, depicting the chilling story of one of the most ruthless serial killers in British history – Dennis Nilsen, known as "Des." His story is as horrifying as it is fascinating, and the series perfectly captures the atmosphere of those events. Nilsen, called "The Kindly Killer," was seemingly an ordinary civil servant, but between 1978 and 1983, his double life as a murderer of boys and young men from London's Soho district shocked the entire United Kingdom. Upon his arrest, Nilsen unhesitatingly confessed to all his crimes, shocking both the police and the public. His victims were unknown, and the investigation became one of the largest in British criminal history.

In the series "Des," you will see the behind-the-scenes of this investigation and the attempt to understand how the mind of a psychopathic killer works. The series sheds light on the dark corners of the human psyche and poses the question: Will we ever truly understand how the mind of such a person works? And if we do, what price will we pay?

Dennis Nilsen killed his victims in his apartment, then stored the bodies in various parts of it, often for extended periods. He was arrested when a neighbor called plumbers to clear a blockage in the pipes, which turned out to be caused by human remains. During interrogations, Nilsen was calm and detailed in describing his crimes, further shocking investigators.

In "Des," Dennis Nilsen is portrayed by David Tennant, known for many outstanding acting performances. Preparing for this role, Tennant spent a lot of time studying materials about Nilsen to faithfully depict his complex and dark personality. His performance in "Des" has been widely praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, further cementing his position as an outstanding actor.

Nilsen was born on November 23, 1945, in Fraserburgh, Scotland. His difficult childhood and complicated family relationships influenced his later behavior. In 1961, he joined the British Army, where he served for 11 years. After his military service, he worked as a police officer and later as a civil servant. Nilsen had a tendency to intoxicate his victims with alcohol before committing the murders. He then strangled them, sometimes drowning them in the bathtub. After killing his victims, Nilsen often spent time with their bodies, indicating severe psychological disturbances. During his trial in 1983, Nilsen was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. In 1994, his sentence was changed to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Dennis Nilsen died on May 12, 2018, in Full Sutton Prison in East Riding of Yorkshire.

Don't miss the premiere of "Des" on Tuesday, June 11 at 10:30 PM on Viasat True Crime! Immerse yourself in the dark world of true crime and witness Tennant's masterful acting. Discover the secrets of one of the most terrifying serial killers in history. This is a unique opportunity to see how one of the most fascinating criminal investigations unfolded and how complex human nature can be.

STEP INTO A WORLD SHROUDED IN MYSTERY AND DECEIT