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Critics Hail Russell T Davies’ New Channel 4 Drama As ‘Terrifying’ And ‘Unforgettable’

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Bafta-winning screenwriter Russell T Davies has another critical hit on his hands thanks to his new show Tip Toe.

The unflinching new drama stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as two neighbours who find themselves in a feud that quickly spirals out of control with disastrous results, while diving into thorny issues like online radicalisation, prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community, misinformation in the digital age and generational conflict.

During a recent interview with HuffPost UK, Russell called Tip Toe an “urgent” and “necessary” reflection of a world that is “out of control” and “at war with ourselves”, which critics have certainly agreed with so far.

Ahead of episode one’s premiere on Sunday, reviews have near-unanimously praised the series – the latest TV offering from the creator of shows like Queer As Folk, Years And Years and It’s A Sin – which they’ve hailed as “chilling”, “devastating”, “terrifying” and “unforgettable”.

Here’s a snippet of what the critics are saying about Tip Toe…

“This is urgent, state-of-the-nation stuff from one of our shrewdest screenwriters […] Tip Toe isn’t just sobering; it’s visceral and chilling viewing for all queer people and everyone who loves and supports us.”

“At times it feels as subtle as a brick in the face. But when Davies steps down from his pulpit and lets his characters breathe, his storytelling is visionary, devastating, passionate and humane. And we should listen.”

Alan Cumming as Leo in Tip Toe
Alan Cumming as Leo in Tip Toe

James_Stack/Channel 4

“Alan Cumming is extraordinary in this terrifying, landmark queer drama […] While this series is a fiction, and one that makes its arguments with sledgehammer grace, it is sadly not absurd, or abstract.”

“Tip Toe, the latest gut-punching drama from Russell T. Davies – his first since the life-altering It’s A Sin – is an alarming, though not inaccurate, portrayal of what it’s really like to be unapologetically gay in a Britain that hates us […] Tip Toe is Davies at his most impassioned; a wake-up call that this is not a time to be complacent.”

“Television writers will tell you that they never want to come across as preachy, and that good drama should ask teasing questions and then step away. The sense in Tip Toe is that Davies is done with this kind of pussyfooting around, and is up for a scrap.

“It makes for a drama that takes wrong turns but is never less than bold and, in the round, deeply stirring. TV polemic is back, loud and proud.”

David Morrissey plays Clive in Russell T Davies' Tip Toe
David Morrissey plays Clive in Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe

Ben Blackall/Channel 4

“Tip Toe may be an extreme example of how frenzied that intolerance can become. Its dialogue, with long, culturally-charged monologues, can also be a little tiring. But it should be all of these things […] A word of warning, though, from someone who literally watches TV for a living: by the end, this is the most distressing series I’ve ever seen. It’s not rewatchable, but it’s unforgettable.”

“[Tip Toe] lacks the discipline that made his other state of the historical/future nation pieces, Years and Years or It’s a Sin, so powerful and moving, but the strands begin to interweave, momentum builds and if the extremity of the conclusion still doesn’t quite ring true, everyone has worked hard to get it as close to authentic and emotionally credible as possible.”

The first two episodes of Tip Toe are now streaming on Channel 4, with the final three following on Sunday 7 June.

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Russell T Davies Claims BBC ‘Insists’ His Shows Have Happy Endings

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Bafta-winning screenwriter Russell T Davies has said he’s happy to be collaborating with Channel 4 on his latest show Tip Toe, as the broadcaster affords him the opportunity to be more “radical” than its rivals.

Over the years, Russell has jumped around UK broadcasters, from the BBC (as with Doctor Who, A Very English Scandal and Years And Years) to ITV (with whom he collaborated on Nolly).

However, arguably the work he’s best known for – including Queer As Folk, Cucumber and, more recently, It’s A Sin – has been at Channel 4, which is set to broadcast his new drama Tip Toe later this month.

The timely Tip Toe stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as two neighbours who have co-existed for decades, but abruptly find themselves at war with one another due to their opposing views in the current political and social climate.

“It’s tough. It’s a hard piece of work,” Russell told Radio 4’s Today earlier this week. “And that’s why I’m really glad to be writing for Channel 4.

“When I write at the BBC, they insist that we give things happy endings in case it drives people away! It’s true!”

Russell continued: “That’s what Channel 4 is for, to sit back and be a bit more radical and more opinionated.”

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Earlier this year, Russell told an audience at the Series Mania event: “I love Years & Years but it was only made on the assistance of the BBC, which kind of meant it had to have a happy ending.

“The world has proved me right [on the need for a sad ending] since, things are just getting worse. I loved that ending but it was a condition that you can’t be that bleak. That condition does not apply to [Tip Toe].”

Tip Toe will premiere on Channel 4 on Sunday 31 May.

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