The new four-part drama, Litvinenko, has been written by George Kay, will be produced by Patrick Spence and directed by Jim Field Smith.
David Tennant will play Alexander Litvinenko, 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 the acclaimed screenwriter of Lupin and Criminal, George Kay, Litvinenko is the story of the determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked for ten years to prove who was responsible.
The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, played 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.
ITV has made it clear that 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. Also starring alongside Tennant and Levieva, will be Mark Bonnar as Clive Timmons, with Neil Maskell as Brent Hyatt.
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.
The iconic photograph taken of Litvinenko at his bedside generated international headlines, and after he was pronounced dead on November 23, Scotland Yard launched its murder investigation.
Speaking about Litvinenko, screenwriter George 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."
To which Executive Producer for ITV Studios, Patrick Spence, added "This one is a privilege, a once in a career opportunity to tell a story about a family and a police team who have shown such courage and resilience that it has inspired us all."
Litvinenko has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, who will oversee the production of the series from the channel’s perspective and said "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."
Litvinenko will air on ITV