ITVX release first look pictures of David Tennant for Litvinenko
Published
ITVX release first look pictures of David Tennant for Litvinenko
- Written by acclaimed screenwriter George Kay, creator and showrunner of the smash hit crime thriller Lupin
- All four episodes from this highly anticipated series will air exclusively on ITVX this December
- New, free streaming platform ITVX launching this December
London—7 November, 2022—Today ITVX revealed the first look pictures of actor David Tennant portraying Alexander Litvinenko, 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.
Litvinenko has been commissioned for ITVX by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.
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 the death of Alexander Litvinenko.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter George Kay, 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, which he knew would prove fatal. His information would ultimately help detectives track down two Russians who had poisoned Litvinenko with Polonium-210, a highly toxic radioactive substance.
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.
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.
Litvinenko has been directed by Jim Field Smith (Criminal, Endeavour) and was filmed on location in and around London.
The series is executive produced by Patrick Spence for ITV Studios (A Spy Among Friends, Ralph & Katie), Josephine Zapata Genetay for NENT Group, Lucy Bedford for Tiger Aspect Productions (Three Little Birds, 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 has been produced by Chris May.
The series is distributed internationally by ITV Studios, which recently announced it had pre-sold the show to over 80 territories. In the Nordic region, Baltic region, Poland and the Netherlands, the series will premiere exclusively on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service.
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Notes to Editors
When publishing the picture, you must include the following credit: Litvinenko will stream exclusively on ITVX this December.
About ITVX
ITVX will be the UK’s freshest streaming service, letting viewers stream new programme exclusives, with adverts, for free; ranging from premium dramas, documentaries, US series, comedy and reality shows to blockbuster films and much, much more. ITVX will be the first streaming service in the UK to offer viewers the flexibility to access free content with ads and ad-free paid subscription, all in one place. Paying subscribers will also have access to BritBox UK.
ITVX will live stream must-watch events including the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, I’m A Celebrity and the Love Island Finale as they are broadcast on ITV’s channels.
ITVX will also offer an ever-changing host of exclusive themed channels in line with viewer preferences and popularity. These constantly evolving pop-up channels will give a scheduled experience through a streaming service, with viewers able to choose where in the schedule they join.
