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Fresh from picking up an International Emmy nomination for his performance as a notorious serial killer in Des, David Tennant has lined up another incredibly complex real-life role.

The Doctor Who favorite has signed up to star as Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who was killed by polonium poisoning in November 2006 after defecting and being granted asylum in England. Titled Litvinenko, the four-part series is being written by Lupin creator George Kay and is a co-production between U.K. network ITV and Nordic Entertainment Group.

According to an ITV press release, the series will follow the 10-year battle by London's Metropolitan Police and his widow Marina Litvinenko to bring his killers to justice.

Margarita Levieva (The Deuce, The Blacklist) will play Litvinenko's widow, while Mark Bonnar (Shetland, AMC's Quiz) will play Clive Timmons, a key member of the police team investigating Litvinenko's death.

Kay, whose other screenwriting credits include two episodes of BBC America's Killing Eve, 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."

In addition to starring in Litvinenko, Tennant will serve as an executive producer on the series. Watch this space for details on when and where it will be available to watch in North America.

He and wife Georgia Tennant have also recently signed up to star in the Jekyll and Hyde-inspired series Hide.

Are you intrigued by David Tennant's latest role?