David Tennent to Play KGB Officer Alexander Litvinenko, Who Was Poisoned to Death, in a New Series
David Tennant is set to play former Russian Federal Security Services and KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who who was poisoned to death, in a new drama series.
The series is titled Litvinenko, and it follows “determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked for ten years to prove who was responsible, in one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.”
The series also focuses on the story of Marina, who is played by Margarita Levieva (Blacklist), “Alexander’s fearless, dignified widow who fought tirelessly to persuade the British Government to publicly name her husband’s killers and acknowledge the role of the Russian State in his murder.”
The drama will relate how in November 2006 two police officers were called to University College Hospital in London to interview a patient in declining health. The patient was Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who claimed to have been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin.
During the police interviews, Litvinenko provided meticulous details from his hospital bedside about the events leading up to his illness. His information would ultimately help detectives track down two Russians who had poisoned Litvinenko with Polonium 210, a highly toxic radioactive substance.
The iconic photograph taken of Litvinenko at his bedside generated international headlines, and after he was pronounced dead on November 23, Scotland Yard launched its murder investigation.
Litvinenko is being made with the support of many of the key individuals involved in the investigation and subsequent public enquiry including former Scotland Yard officers, Clive Timmons and Brent Hyatt, along with Ben Emmerson QC and Alexander’s family.
Mark Bonnar (Catastrophe) has also been cast in the series and will play Timmons, along with Neil Maskell (Small Axe), who is playing Hyatt.
The series is written by George Kay (Lupin, Criminal and Killing Eve), and it will be directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal). George Kay said in a statement, “In late 2006, Alexander Litvinenko was a living witness to his own murder. He spent his dying days entrusting the Metropolitan Police with the details of what happened to him. It took those police and his remarkable widow Marina Litvinenko a decade to have those claims ratified. Their stamina, hard work and bravery are what make this not only an essential story of our times but a privilege to be asked to write.”
Producer Patrick Spence said, “This one is a privilege, a once in a career opportunity to tell a story about a family and a police team who have shown such courage and resilience that it has inspired us all.”
ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, added, “After David’s incredible performance as Dennis Nilsen I’m delighted he returns to ITV to play Alexander Litvinenko in the incredible story of his murder. George Kay’s scripts are brilliant and this is an important story that documents a long police investigation and a powerful campaign for justice by his wife Marina. It is going to make a compelling drama and I am proud to have it on ITV.”
The series will air on ITV in the UK and on NENT Group’s Viaplay streamer in the Nordics, Baltic region and the Netherlands. It will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
Source: Deadline