Litvinenko

If this was from a book by John Le Carrier telling a tale of a former traitor to the Russian state, who was poisoned to death whilst living in London by the most lethal poison on earth then you would dismiss it as piece of fiction.

But this was no Cold War piece of fiction but a truly frightening tale of the lengths that Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin would go to, to take out Sasha Litvnenko a former Russian agent.

Rather like the Salisbury poisonings this was Putins way of sticking up two fingers to the west. With compulsive evidence from CCTV to trace's of Polonium found, it became impossible to get the killers to trial due to a communist regime and diplomatic immunity.

With high production costs and superb performances throughout I would highly recommend this show. 8/10.

While this is a sad story and a tough subject to approach, the entire cast did a superb job. I cannot think of better actors to have done this project justice. Well done!

While for me, the 4 part mini series went quickly due to understanding the nature of the politics involved. You could see that the overall cast and most likely crew were very devoted to getting the story told properly.

Definitely award worthy as this is so poignant today. After listening to Marina speak of the struggles to get this series made and her take on it, I'm so glad it was not glammed up or changed to be "hollywood-ish".

The Metropolitan Police investigate the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a former member of The Russian FSB, now a British Citizen, who is poisoned with deadly agent, plutonium. The Police get some time with the murder victim ahead of his death.

David Tennant was the face of this drama, every advert showed a picture of him, and there is a chilling similarity between Tennant in that hospital bed, and the real life Litvinenko, the big surprise, Tennant only features in one episode.

I really did enjoy it, it seeks to explore the story, details the investigation into the poisoning, and shows the farcical situation in which British officers went on an information seeking mission to Moscow. The one thing it doesn't do, is give enough insight into Litvinenko himself, they could have spent some more time detailing his past.

Episode one is the standout, it's an excellent, gritty, tragic affair, what follows is different, but enjoyable, not as gritty, sometimes a little frivolous, but interesting.

I'm struck by the role the media had in the case, they always seemed to be one step ahead, somebody was clearly leaking information.

A brave drama to make, especially when you think of the current state of affairs between Russia and The West.

It made for an interesting watch.

7/10.

I am still astonished by this short TV series. It begins by the death of Litvinenko, poisoned in London, in 2006, and proceeds with the meticulous investigation that was made by the British authorities to find out how the Russian Poutine opponent was killed. To find out in deep accuracy, to the least detail. It is absolutely stunning, riveting, poignant. You are absorbed, swallowed by this story for which you already know how it ends. Now, in 2023, during war in Ukraine, it resonates even deeper, stronger; we can see how Russian - NOT RUSSIAN PEOPLE,BEWARE - authorities are liars, masters in the art of duplicity.and treachery. I fell off my coach after seeing the sequence where the Russian government smiling lady gives the British police officer the tape supposed to have the record of the Russian agent interview. A recording tape supposed to be used as a proof. I already told to myself that the British cop should have a tape recorder machine to check, rightaway, just in front of the lady, but no, he takes the tape and that's all. And guess what? Of course the recording tape was blank.... Russians....

Having spent several years working in Moscow, I began watching through personal interest, but rapidly became hooked by the superb quality of this production on every level, in every department. The whole cast should feel massively proud of what they have achieved with this. They have done the Litvinenkos proud. Marina Litvinenko was beautifully portrayed, and David Tennant did a great job as the man himself. Best drama we've seen on any TV channel for years, including Line of Duty, The Crown, and all the other flagships. This is a true must watch.......hope it reaches the widest possible audience worldwide.