LITVINENKO - ITV 9-10pm - mon Tue wed thur - TV PACE. NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Four-part drama based on the true story of the police investigation into the poisoning of the former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko.

In November 2006, Litvinenko, a former KGB officer, lies dying in a London hospital - poisoned by a mysterious radioactive substance.

As police are summoned to take his statement, Litvinenko points his finger directly at the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

Litvinenko's death a few days later sparks an investigation into a chemical attack on the streets of London and a ten-year investigation between Britain and Russia to find justice for his murder.

The four-part drama will air on ITV1 on consecutive nights starting from Monday 19th June at 9pm, with a documentary special titled Litvinenko: The Mayfair Poisoning then following at the same time on Friday 23rd June.

The drama – which is written by Lupin's George Kay – follows the true story (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/litvinenko-itvx-true-story-exclusive/) of the Metropolitan Police's investigation into the fatal poisoning of the titular Russian
defector in 2006, as they strive to prove who was responsible for his death.

Tennant stars as the former Russian Federal Security Services officer while the cast (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/litvinenko-itvx-cast/) also includes Margarita Levieva as Marina, Mark Bonnar as DS Clive Timmons, Neil Maskell as DI Brent Hyatt and Sam Troughton as DI Brian Tarpey.

And although Tennant is playing the title role, director Jim Field Smith explained last year that the star was actually only on set for "around 10 days" of shooting (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/litvinenko-david-tennant-filming-newsupdate/), given his character dies towards the start of the drama.

Kay previously said of the series: "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 ra
tified. 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."

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Your tv call as requested 😂😂

It's a repeat. I watched it first time round and thought it was excellent.

Now I'm not sure if I watched this or if it's a podcast series I listened to, either way I shall watch.

I do appreciate your TV roll calls @Blondeshavemorefun Thank you as always.

It was/is on ITVX. That’s where people will have seen it

Ah. Just googled

It's been on ITVX

But not itv

So I haven't seen

Sorry your reply wasn't showing when I replied

Seems a lot of the new stuff coming onto itv has been shown
Previously on ITVX

I’ve not seen it either so thank you. I’m currently away but will ask DH to record. Thank you for the link!

Thanks Blondes. I haven't seen it either.

No spoilers but it's a brilliant series.

Been seeing lots of trailers for this recently . Looking forward to it , thanks Blondes .

If it's half as good as the Steeltown Murders that they did such a brilliant job of dramatising, it'll be fine.

Sometimes watching real life drama is as good as drama drama

Yes some may know who killed the girl's for example in steeltown (must watch no 4) but many did f

So kinda fresh watxhing

Same for this. I don't know the story as such so will be interesting

Starts tonight

This is really enjoyable, just my type of thing . Haven't seen the actor before who's the main Detective questioning Litvinenko , but he's very good .

Am tempted to binge but fearful of @Blondeshavemorefun 😅

He is buried in Highgate cemetery in a lead coffin.
If you ever get the chance to do the guided tour of the cemetery it is really interesting.
I remember following this case at the time. It is even more poignant now in the light of what happened in Salisbury and the war in Ukraine.

I’ll also recommend this as a must to watch

Not only the case itself, what happened to those involved and the Salisbury incident but also for an opening to some of the mindsets involved.
Its very interesting when you understand who

Alexander Litvinenko was ….. but I’m not giving spoilers

Once seen I’ll recommend the book ‘From Russia with blood’ :

From Russia with Blood: Putin’s Ruthless Killing Campaign and Secret War on the West https://amzn.eu/d/f92pNbv

You so will not binge @butterpuffed

Or will be know as bingybutters 😂😂

Still haven't got round to starting this, but am encouraged by the positive views. Tomorrow, maybe.

Mr blondes and I enjoyed e1

Rare for us to
Both watch something together

2 tonight

Def try jt

What does everyone think of this

😱

Enjoying this if that’s the right thing to say.

I keep waiting for Salisbury to be mentioned. Are the two things not linked?

@Rummikub , Litvinenko was 2006 and Salisbury was 2018. I don't know where the years have gone!

Agree @Rummikub Also enjoying as is mr blondes