Des
Created by Luke Neal, Lewis Arnold
On ITV1
A dark, psychologically interior true-crime drama that examines the moral and psychological toll of proximity to evil rather than sensationalizing the crimes themselves.
The story of one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Told through the prism of three men, the series explores the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like Nilsen.
Where to watch
- StreamPrime Video, Spectrum On Demand, Philo, AMC+, Howdy, BritBox, Sundance Now, Shout! Factory
- FreeFawesome
- AdsPrime Video, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon MX Player
- BuyApple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Questions people ask
Is Des sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.
Does Des leave you hopeful? No. Less hopeful than 96% of series.
Is Des easy watching? No. Less comforting than 94% of series.
Is Des scary? Yes. More frightening than 89% of series.
Is Des violent? Yes. More violent than 85% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Des, and what each one shares →
Like Des
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Des
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Des, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Des, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Des, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
