The trailer for new ITV drama Litvinenko, which stars David Tennant in the titular role, just dropped. And (no surprises here), it looks really, really good.
If you’re into intrigue, mystery and drama, all based on real events and with a generous helping of Tennant… this will probably be one for you.
The trailer opens with a shot of Tennant, in character as Alexander Litvinenko, in a hospital bed. Forgoing his usual appearance, Tennant sports a bald head, and looks emaciated beneath his hospital gown. However, he claims not to be in hospital because of any natural illness; instead, he suggests that someone put him there.
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The opening dialogue sets the tone: “My name is Alexander Litvinenko. I need to report a murder.”
When a police officer asks whose murder he is referring to, Litvinenko simply responds: “Mine.”
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As the trailer unravels, the British authorities travel to Russia to follow their leads; what they find out is yet to be revealed.
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The series is written by George Kay, who we have to thank for Lupin, among other titles. ITV has revealed that "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.
"The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, portrayed by Margarita Levieva, 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."
While we keenly await the return of David Tennant in Doctor Who next year, it looks like this could be just the thing to tide us over.
Litvinenko launches December 15 on ITVX.
