"Many Photos" - Stephen Merchant transforms into Grindr serial killer Stephen Port

Stephen Merchant was pictured on the set of The Barking Murders for the first time today after transforming into Grindr serial killer Stephen Port. 

Merchant, celebrated for such roles in Extras, The Office and Hello Ladies, is taking on a much more sinister role in the new BBC factual drama which is currently being filmed in Manchester.

Port, 43, drugged and murdered four men he met on the dating app between 2014 and 2015. 

A new direction: Stephen Merchant was seen filming The Barking Murders for the first time this week in Manchester, as he prepares to play 'Grindr Killer' Stephen Port

The serial killer famously received a whole life sentence for drugging and raping male victims to 'satisfy his fetish' for sex with the unconscious.

Port killed 21-year-old fellow chef Daniel Whitworth, along with Gabriel Kovari, 22, fashion student Anthony Walgate, 23, and Jack Taylor, 25, a forklift driver from Dagenham.

He met all of the men on gay dating app Grindr and killed them using date rape drug GHB before dumping their bodies in the street or his local graveyard in Barking, east London. 

Serious story: Stephen says he feels compelled to tell the story of how four young lives were lost, at the hands of 'monstrous' serial killer Port (right)

Comedy giant: The BBC drama is a stark departure from the actor's usual, popular comedy roles

Sentenced in November 2016, Port got the same term as notorious killers including Fred and Rose West, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, Robert Black and Mark Bridger.

And now it is the challenge of former film student Merchant to act out a story that he said 'could not be ignored,' as the drama follows the aftermath of the killings and how Port tried to cover them up.

In a stark departure from his usual light-hearted characters, Stephen had changed his appearance noticeably to take on the menacing air of the Grindr killer.

He had swept a mop of longer blonde hair into a side-parting, resembling the killer's now-chilling dating app pictures, and was no longer sporting his usual facial hair.

Changing appearances: While his towering frame was hard to miss at a Manchester shopping centre, Stephen looked distinctly different with a blonde, side-swept hairstyle and a clean-shaven appearance

Ever the joker: Even while he was fussed over by hair and make-up teams, Stephen couldn't hide his natural sense of humour

Star power: The comedy giant has joined the factual drama to 'shed light on the story' of the victims and their families

Merchant looked more youthful in a hoodie and a T-shirt from a vintage toys and collectibles store, perhaps mimicking the style that Port chose to snare his much younger victims. 

The actor was carrying a toy tractor in a plastic bag and even though he was clearly in character, subtle hints of his natural sense of humour showed through while he chatted to hair and make-up artists on set. 

Earlier this year, Stephen explained why he felt compelled to tell the sinister story in a small screen remake.

Looking for younger men: Port tried to attract men who were half his age

Looking to meet up: Port used his Grindr profile to meet up with male dates

The victims: (From left) Daniel Whitworth, Jack Taylor, Anthony Walgate and Gabriel Kovari were all killed by Port

Who was the Grindr serial killer Stephen Port?

Stephen Port, 41, was handed a whole life sentence in 2016 for abusing and killing four men using date rape drugs before dumping their bodies in the street or his local graveyard in Barking, east London.

Port had a fetish for sex with the unconscious so drugged and raped his victims to 'satisfy his lust' after meeting them on dating app Grindr. He used GHB - a drug known as liquid ecstasy - which knocked them out cold.

For more than three years Port, 41, carried out attacks against 11 men under the age of 26, including the four who died. 

With each of the murders Port tried to cover his tracks and he even wrote a fake suicide note for Daniel Whitworth and stuffed it into his hand. 

Scotland Yard was accused of 'institutional homophobia' over its multiple failures to stop Port far earlier - despite repeated warnings of a murderer on the loose. 

Port was even jailed for perverting the course justice by lying over Mr Walgate's death, but killed when on bail and after being released from prison.

The serial killer, who worked as a cook in a bus garage canteen, was finally caught in October 2015 after the family of his fourth victim Jack Taylor carried out their own research and showed police the striking similarities between Mr Taylor's death and the previous three murders.  

The force is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the drug deaths of 58 gay men in London over four years amid fears they may have also been murdered. 

'This is a story that can't be ignored,' he told Digital Spy. 'How four young lives were lost and their families' brave attempt to uncover what happened.'

'This factual drama will shed light on their story, so it's a privilege to be a part of telling it with the brilliant combination of Jeff Pope, Neil McKay and the BBC.' 

It's an unexpected move into more serious drama for a beloved actor who is best known for comedy roles in The Office, Extras and a cameo in The Big Bang Theory.

Speaking about the transition into factual drama, Stephen told The Evening Standard last March: 'I don't watch comedy, I watch drama or more serious-minded stuff so I'm very pleased to be able to try and do that.

'There are filmmakers I admire from back in the day like Billy Wilder who would do a comedy one movie, a drama the next and then a thriller and they could jump from those different genres. 

'I think that's harder to do now but that's something I'd like to try and do.' 

After his role in Fighting With My Family, a more serious biographical film about a young woman's transformation into a professional wrestler, Stephen said he hoped people would see 'another dimension' to what he does.

His new drama, The Barking Murders, now portrays the months after the killings and the fallout for the family.

Veteran TV actress Sheridan Smith, 38, will also star as Sarah Sak, the mother of Port's first victim Anthony Walgate.

It has also been confirmed that Bodyguard star Stephanie Hyam, Rufus Jones and Cold Feet's Leanne Best will also appear.

In the aftermath of Port's killings in 2015, police missed multiple opportunities to catch the killer.

Bringing it to the BBC: Stephen stars alongside Sheridan Smith, who plays Sarah Sak, the mother of Port's first victim Anthony Walgate

Real life character: The drama will take a look at the aftermath of the killings in 2014 and 2015

All four of the men were found dead a short distance from his east London home between 2014 and 2015.

It was later revealed that Port had told 'wicked and monstrous lies' about the men found dead that meant their families were told by police that their loved-ones had killed themselves or died accidentally. 

With each of the murders Port tried to cover his tracks, even going to the extent of writing a fake suicide note for Daniel Whitworth, which was found stuffed it into his hand.

One of the most shocking lines read: 'BTW. Please do not blame the guy I was with last night'.

A comedy legend: Stephen is famous for hilarious roles in Extras, alongside Ricky Gervais and Shaun Williamson

The joker: Stephen played the inimitable Nathan 'Ogmmonster' Oggy in British comedy The Office

Port was first questioned by British Transport Police on June 4, 2014 when he was found with a collapsed man at Barking station. 

He was allowed to leave, despite admitting that both he and the man had taken illegal drugs.

Three weeks later, Port was the one to call police about Anthony Walgate's death, claiming that he was 'drunk or had a seizure' outside his flat.

Jack Taylor, Gabriel Kovari and Daniel Whitworth were all found in the exact same spot, within a mile of Port's home.

Funny man: Stephen branched off into his own comedy Hello Ladies

Christmas comedy: Stephen starred in Christmas comedy Click and Collect this year

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News Photo Stephen Merchant transforms into Grindr serial killer Stephen Port
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