KILLER CAST
Des cast: Who stars in the ITV drama alongside David Tennant?
DES is a new ITV drama following the arrest and trial of serial killer Dennis Nilsen’s heinous crimes.
David Tennant portrays the serial killer in the three-part series, which also stars Line Of Duty actor Daniel Mays. Who else is in the cast of Des?
- Visit our Dennis Nilsen page for the latest stories
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Who's in the cast of Des?
David Tennant as Dennis Nilsen
In 2005, David became the tenth Doctor Who, replacing Christopher Eccleston.
He played the role until January 1, 2010, when he bowed out to make way for Matt Smith.
He has starred in ITV drama Broadchurch, and as villain Kilgrave in the Marvel and Netflix series Jessica Jones.
David is also known to Harry Potter fans when he was cast as Barty Crouch Jnr in The Goblet of Fire.
Daniel Mays as Peter Jay
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Daniel Mays is known for starring in the third series of BBC's highly acclaimed Line Of Duty.
He played the lead role in Channel 4's Born To Kill and won the role of Peter Wildeblood, in the BBC's Against the Law.
Daniel has also appeared in EastEnders, Plus One, Ashes To Ashes and Outcasts.
Jason Watkins as Brian Masters
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You may know Watkins for his role in the three-part BBC drama A Very English Scandal, alongside Hugh Grant.
In 2017, he joined the cast of the BBC police drama Line Of Duty for the fourth series alongside Thandie Newton.
He has also had guest parts in Miranda, Doctor Who and The Wrong Mans.
Jason has also had a successful a stage career and in 2001 was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Servant For Two Masters.
Ron Cook
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Ron Cook is known for his role as Mr Crabb in TV show Mr Selfridge.
He recently appeared in The Salisbury Poisonings as Stan Sturgess.
Ron also has credits in some blockbuster movies, such as Hot Fuzz, Chocolat and Thunderbirds.
Faye McKeever as Emma Ridgway
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Faye starred in ITV drama Little Boy Blue as Claire Olssen, a real character given a fictional name.
Telly fans may also recognise her as Linda Stubbings from sitcom Trollied, in which she starred for all six seasons.
She also had roles in Shannon Matthews dramatisation The Moorside and drama series Broken.
Barry Ward as DI Steve McCusker
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Barry plays DI Steve McCusker who was a real officer who worked on the Nilsen case, operating as Jay Peter’s second-in-command.
Meanwhile, the Irish actor has appeared in Whites Lines, The End of the F***ing World and The Fall.
Jay Simpson as DS Chris Healey
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DS Healey was one of the lead investigators on the Nilsen case.
Actor Jay is perhaps best known for playing Ian ‘Brookie’ Brooke in Foyle’s War.
However, you might have also seen him in Black Mirror, Primeval, The Bill, Peep Show and 2005’s Pride and Prejudice film.
Ben Bailey Smith as DC Brian Lodge
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DC Brian Lodge is one of the police officers working on the Nilsen case.
Actor Ben is known for David Brent: Life on the Road, Fleabag, Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK, The Inbetweeners and CBBC show 4 O’Clock Club.
Chanel Cresswell as Lesley Mead
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Lesley was the partner of Graham Allen, the seventh of Nilsen’s victims to be identified.
Actress Chanel is perhaps best known for portraying Kelly in 2006’s This is England film and its TV spin-offs, This Is England ’86 (2010), This Is England ’88 (2011) and This Is England ’90 (2015).
She won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the latter show.
WHAT'S ON TV?
When is Des out on ITV?
New ITV drama Des kicks off TONIGHT (September 14, 2020)
You can catch it from 9pm on ITV.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Des is written by Luke Neal and Kelly Jones.
It is based on material from the book Killing For Company by Brian Masters.
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