David Farnor | On 26, Nov 2022

Follow the poison, you find the poisoner. That’s the logic behind Litvinenko, ITV’s new drama starring David Tennant as Alexander Litvinenko.

Written by George Kay (Lupin), the series will see Tennant portray the former Russian Federal Security Services and KGB officer, whose death from Polonium-210 poisoning in November 2006 triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police. The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, portrayed by Margarita Levieva (The Deuce, The 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.

Directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal, Endeavour), the series will premiere on ITVX on Thursday 15th December, with all four episodes available to stream at once. For more on ITVX and how it will work, click here.

Here’s the trailer:

 

First look: David Tennant in ITV’s Litvinenko

7th November 2022

David Tennant will step into the shoes of Alexander Litvinenko this December, and a new image gives us a first look at the ITV drama.

Written by George Kay, creator and showrunner of the smash hit crime thriller Lupin, the series will see Tennant portray the former Russian Federal Security Services and KGB officer, whose death from Polonium-210 poisoning in November 2006 triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police. As part of filming for the drama, David Tennant and the production team replicated the iconic photo taken of Alexander Litvinenko in his hospital bed, which made international headlines before he died.

Produced by ITV Studios, Tiger Aspect Productions and Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) in association with Livedrop Media, Litvinenko is the story of the determined New Scotland Yard officers who worked to prove who was responsible for Alexander’s death. It will relate how in November 2006 two police officers were called to University College Hospital in London to interview a patient in declining health – a Russian dissident who claimed to have been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin. The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, portrayed by Margarita Levieva (The Deuce, The 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.

Directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal, Endeavour), Litvinenko has been produced with the support of many of the key individuals involved in the investigation and subsequent public inquiry including former New Scotland Yard officers, Clive Timmons and Brent Hyatt, along with Ben Emmerson QC and Alexander’s family. Mark Bonnar (Catastrophe, Quiz) portrays Clive Timmons, whilst Neil Maskell (Small Axe, Utopia) portrays Brent Hyatt.

 

David Tennant to play Alexander Litvinenko in ITV drama

1st October 2021

David Tennant will play Alexander Litvinenko in a new ITV drama.

Called Litvinenko, the four-part series will see the former Doctor Who star step into the shoes of the former Russian Federal Security Services and KGB officer whose
death, from polonium poisoning in November 2006, triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.

Written by George Kay (Lupin, Criminal), Litvinenko is the story of the determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked for 10 years to prove who was responsible. The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, played by Margarita Levieva (The Deuce, The 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 Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who claimed to have been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin. During the police interviews, Alexander 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.

Kay said: “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.”

Litvinenko is produced 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, Quiz) will play Clive Timmons, whilst Neil Maskell (Small Axe, Utopia) is playing Brent Hyatt.

Directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal, Truth Seekers) the drama will be executive produced by Patrick Spence for ITV Studios (Adult Material, Marvellous), Josephine Zapata Genetay for NENT Group, Lucy Bedford for Tiger Aspect Productions (Viewpoint, The Good Karma Hospital), George Kay, Jim Field Smith and David Tennant. The co-Producer is Richard Kerbaj for Livedrop Media (Hunting the KGB Killers, Unmasking Jihadi John: Anatomy of a Terrorist) and the drama will be produced by Chris May.

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, commented: “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.”

In the Nordic region, Baltic region, Poland and the Netherlands, the series will premiere on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service.

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