Character Relationship Map: Des

Characters

• Dennis Nilsen (played by David Tennant) — protagonist
• DCI Peter Jay (played by Daniel Mays) — protagonist
• Brian Masters (played by Jason Watkins) — supporting
• DSI Chambers (played by Ron Cook) — supporting
• Linda Jay (played by Faye McKeever) — supporting
• DI Steve McCusker (played by Barry Ward) — supporting
• DC Brian Lodge (played by Ben Bailey Smith) — supporting
• DS Jones (played by Alex Bhat) — supporting
• DS Chris Healey (played by Jay Simpson) — supporting
• Charlotte Proctor (played by Bronagh Waugh) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• DCI Peter Jay → DS Chris Healey (Professional Subordinate) — Police hierarchy relationship within the investigation team
• DCI Peter Jay → DS Jones (Professional Subordinate) — Police hierarchy relationship within the investigation team
• DCI Peter Jay → DC Brian Lodge (Professional Colleague) — Working relationship within the murder investigation team
• DCI Peter Jay → DI Steve McCusker (Professional Colleague) — Working relationship within the murder investigation team
• DCI Peter Jay → DSI Chambers (Professional Superior Officer) — Police hierarchy relationship between detective and chief inspector
• DCI Peter Jay → Linda Jay (Family Spouses) — Personal relationship between the detective and his wife

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Dennis Nilsen → Charlotte Proctor (Conflict Victim) — Relationship between the killer and one of his victims
• Dennis Nilsen → Brian Masters (Narrative Subject And Biographer) — The relationship between the killer and the author documenting his story
• Dennis Nilsen → DCI Peter Jay (Conflict Killer And Investigator) — The central conflict between the serial killer and the detective leading the case

Story Analysis

The story of serial killer Dennis Nilsen and the investigation that led to his arrest

Plot Progression

1. The Shadow Begins — Early life of Dennis Nilsen and the emergence of his dark compulsions leading to his first murder.
2. The Hunt — Discovery of human remains triggers police investigation, leading to Nilsen's arrest and interrogation.
3. The Confession — Nilsen's interviews with biographer Brian Masters reveal the depths of his crimes and motivations.
4. The Judgment — The legal proceedings against Nilsen, culminating in his trial, conviction, and sentencing.
5. The Echo — The aftermath of the case, its impact on survivors, investigators, and the public record.