David Tennant stunned fans with his unrecognisable appearance in his new ITVX drama Litvinenko.
The Bathgate-born actor starred as Alexander Litvinenko in the new drama telling the story of the ex-KGB officer's fatal poisoning in London in 2006, in the four-part mini-series. The show focuses on the police investigation into his murder and his widow Marina's 10-year search for justice.
The 51-year-old portrays the former spy, known affectionately as Sasha, who died after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance. The Scots star transformed into the now-famous image of Litvinenko lying in his hospital bed following his poisoning.
Tennant's transformation to recreate the image left him wondering whether or not he was looking at himself or Litvinenko. The image sparked headlines across the globe as he was poisoned with Polonium-210, a highly toxic radioactive substance.
Speaking to police officers, Litvinenko claimed to have been poisoned on the direct orders of Putin. In September 2021, the ECHR ruled that Russia was responsible for the assassination of Litvinenko and ordered Russia to pay Litvinenko's wife €100,000 in damages plus €22,500 in costs.
Speaking to the Express.co.uk, Tennant notes he is aware of the potential repercussions that the show may have after portraying Litvinenko. He said: "It’s a story which has repercussions, you are very aware of that.
"You’re not only carrying the story as a fable for our times, but you are also carrying the story of a family and that felt very precious and very delicate."
He added: "I remember it happening and I remember being appalled, bewildered and shocked by the news story like the rest of the world was. And reading the way George [Kay] had written the script was captivating and compelling."
"It felt like a story which had to be told," David explained.
The Scots actor, who is reprising his iconic role in Doctor Who for the 60th Anniversary Special in 2023, said it was "important" to retell the story "on a geopolitical scale".
"It's also the emotional fracturing of a family, the terrible truth of what was attempted by this gangster [Putin] who has all this power," David added.
"It was unjust and unfair," he stressed. "What Litvinenko set out to do was to make sure this story was told, that's how it felt."
The actor felt the most important thing "we can do is tell the story again and again, because that way, Putin loses."
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