In an exclusive conversation with City AM The Magazine, acclaimed actor Russell Tovey opens up about his eagerly anticipated return to the world of Doctor Who, his compelling new film projects, and the personal philosophy that guides his celebrated career. Best known for roles in Being Human, The History Boys, and Looking, Tovey remains remarkably down-to-earth, his genuine charm immediately disarming.
From Old Street Pubs to Sci-Fi Saviour
Meeting in a café near his Old Street apartment, Tovey’s friendly, cheeky-chappy demeanour shines through. He enthusiastically points out local pub The Eagle, famous for its mention in the nursery rhyme Pop Goes the Weasel, and jokes about his sartorial strategy for fan interactions. “If I’m having a bad day, I’ll put blue on, ‘cause I’d like an ego boost!” he laughs, having noticed he gets recognised more often in light blue.
The actor is currently promoting two major projects releasing this Christmas. The first is The War Between the Land and the Sea, a new Disney drama from Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies. This marks their third collaboration following Doctor Who and Years & Years. Tovey plays Barclay, an ordinary Londoner thrust into a diplomatic role to save Earth from an aquatic alien race waging war over plastic pollution.
“I watched it,” Tovey says of the series. “If I’m in it and I can watch it, that’s a good barometer test for me.” He feels passionately about the climate narrative, hoping it spurs viewers to action. “I want them to be angry and do something. That’s what good drama does,” he states, drawing a parallel to how drama illuminated the Post Office scandal.
Embracing Complexity: Plainclothes and LGBTQ+ Storytelling
His second project is the indie film Plainclothes, a beautifully shot, hypnotic rumination on the cruising scene in 1990s New York. Tovey plays Andrew, a closeted, married man whose life intersects with a closeted police officer, played by Tom Blyth, on a sting operation. For Tovey, returning to the 1990s to play a man his current age was profoundly interesting.
The film seeks to destigmatise cruising and highlights a contemporary issue: over 200 men have been arrested for cruising in New York’s Penn Station this year alone. Tovey praises the film’s generous, educational nature and its stylistic use of silence. “There were moments just to stare at each other, take each other in and be soft, which they’re denied everywhere else in their lives,” he reflects.
This role continues Tovey’s impactful engagement with queer narratives, which he once avoided due to anxiety about being typecast. HBO’s Looking in 2014 was a watershed moment. “I remember going, ‘This is a big deal’. The parts I’ve played that have been queer have changed my life,” he admits, acknowledging how these roles have fuelled both personal growth and career enhancement.
A Career Built on Instinct and Collaboration
When it comes to selecting roles, Tovey’s process is instinctive. “I just find a character and go, ‘I’m desperate to play that,’” he explains. He describes himself as “very malleable” on set, preferring to discover the character in collaboration rather than arriving fully formed. This approach has served him well, from his breakthrough in The History Boys in 2006 to his recent work in American Horror Story.
He still holds a torch for working again with History Boys writer Alan Bennett and director Nicholas Hytner. While he missed out on Bennett’s Talking Heads revival to Martin Freeman, he harbours no resentment. “I can’t begrudge him for that,” he says good-naturedly.
On the topic of his personal life, Tovey delivers anecdotes with his trademark warm grin. He lives with his 13-year-old dog, Rusty, and has a notorious history with dating apps. He was banned from Grindr after the platform suspected he was an impersonator. “It’s IRL for me, every time. It’s so much more exciting,” he concludes with a laugh.
The War Between the Land and the Sea premieres on BBC and Disney+ from 7 December 2025. Plainclothes is in Curzon cinemas now.
