Platinum antitumour agents, containing aromatic rings, which are used for targeting DNA in effective therapies for the treatment of cancer. We have synthesized the title metallocomplex with an aromatic ligand and determined its crystal structure. In many cases, complexes of platinum and other metals have a symmetrical structure. In contrast, the platinum(II) complex with pyridine and N-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine as ligands (systematic name: cis{N-[(anthracen-9-yl)methyl] ethane-1,2-diamine-kappa(2) N, N'} bis(pyridine-kappa N) platinum(II) dinitrate), [Pt(C5H5N)(2)(C17H18N2)](NO3)(2), is asymmetric. Of the two pyridine ligands, only one is pi-stacked with anthracene, resulting in an asymmetric structure. Moreover, the angle of orientation of each pyridine ligand is variable. Further examination of the packing motif confirms an intermolecular edge-to-face interaction.