Daniel Mays says Des cast understood David Tennant's distance on set
5 years ago
21 September 2020 - 2:00 PM

Daniel Mays says Des cast understood David Tennant's distance on set

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

Daniel Mays says the \'Des\' cast understood why David Tennant kept himself separate from the other actors.

The 42-year-old actor played Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay in the three-part ITV drama, which was focused on real life serial killer Dennis Nilsen (Tennant) who murdered at least 12 young men between 1978 and 1983 in north London.

Appearing on ITV\'s \'This Morning\' on Monday (21.09.20), he said: "He kept separate to all of the actors playing the police. We had bonded as a group... that really comes across in the piece as well.

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures

"Certainly when David steps out when we were doing the interrogation scene in the first episode - I think we instinctively all knew that he was keeping himself separate and he was very focused on what he had to do.

"Collectively as a group of actors, we respected that. To sit across from David Tennant in that role - I\'ve been acting for 20 years, and it\'s one of the most eerie, captivating performances I\'ve ever worked across from.

"For me money, I think he\'s giving the performance of his career. He\'s absolutely stellar in this performance."

Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery

Daniel praised David\'s talents, and his skills at recreating Dennis\' mannerisms on the small screen.

He added: "You can see an actual interview with the new Nilsen, and when you compare it to David\'s performance it\'s uncanny."

Daniel\'s comments come after \'Des\' was hit by seven Ofcom complaints from viewers who were left horrified by details of his crimes.

Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage

Meanwhile, the first episode of the show broke a ratings record for ITV as it became the broadcaster\'s biggest drama launch of 2020.

The broadcast was watched by an average audience of 5.4 million people, according to new data, which confirmed that it was ITV\'s biggest drama debut since \'Cleaning Up\' in 2019.

\'Des\' also surpassed the viewer numbers of \'Quiz\' - the drama show about Charles Ingram winning \'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?\' - which attracted 5.3 million viewers earlier this year.

Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison

The thriller series peaked at 5.9 million viewers and research suggests that it was watched by nearly one-third of all TV viewers across its time slot period.

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

You might like these
Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures

12 June 2026 - 4:40 AM

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures
Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery

Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery

12 June 2026 - 4:05 AM

Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery
Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage

Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage

9 June 2026 - 2:28 AM

Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage
Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison

Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison

9 June 2026 - 1:56 AM

Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison
Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood

Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood

16 May 2026 - 6:49 AM

Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures
12 June 2026

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures

Josie Gibson Proudly Shows Off Surgery Scars After Procedures
Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery
12 June 2026

Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery

Beverley Callard Shares Health Update After Doctors Discovery
Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage
9 June 2026

Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage

Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in Grand Prix Entourage
Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison
9 June 2026

Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison

Katie Price Returns to UK After Confronting Husband In Prison
Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood
16 May 2026

Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood

Gogglebox Viewers Emotional After Tribute to Late Ken Harwood
Jesy Nelson Marks Twins' First Birthday with Heartfelt Tribute
16 May 2026

Jesy Nelson Marks Twins' First Birthday with Heartfelt Tribute

Jesy Nelson Marks Twins' First Birthday with Heartfelt Tribute
Lauryn Goodman Controversial Skit Amid Annie Kilner’s Pregnancy
14 May 2026

Lauryn Goodman Controversial Skit Amid Annie Kilner’s Pregnancy

Lauryn Goodman Controversial Skit Amid Annie Kilner’s Pregnancy
David Beckham Celebrates Birthday with Family
3 May 2026

David Beckham Celebrates Birthday with Family

David Beckham Celebrates Birthday with Family
Ashley Roberts Enjoys Romantic Date Night with George Rollinson
3 May 2026

Ashley Roberts Enjoys Romantic Date Night with George Rollinson

Ashley Roberts Enjoys Romantic Date Night with George Rollinson
Rosanna Tennant Welcomes Second Child
3 May 2026

Rosanna Tennant Welcomes Second Child

Rosanna Tennant Welcomes Second Child
Emily Atack Discusses Dramatic Transformation for Upcoming Role in "Rivals"
1 May 2026

Emily Atack Discusses Dramatic Transformation for Upcoming Role in "Rivals"

Emily Atack Discusses Dramatic Transformation for Upcoming Role in "Rivals"
Scarlett Moffatt Shares Candid Look at Challenging First Trimester
1 May 2026

Scarlett Moffatt Shares Candid Look at Challenging First Trimester

Scarlett Moffatt Shares Candid Look at Challenging First Trimester
Statistic Statistic