Russell T Davies, the creator of It's a Sin, returns with a furious new drama titled Tip Toe. The series explores the rise of homophobia through a feud between two neighbours in Manchester. Stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey discuss death, fear, and 'joy as a form of protest'.
The Feud on Canal Street
Late at night on Manchester's Canal Street, the heart of the city's queer scene, two neighbours are at war. Leo (Alan Cumming), a gay bar manager, and Clive (David Morrissey), a reserved and judgmental neighbour, engage in an escalating feud. Their altercation echoes down the canal, with yells from Leo so loud that they draw attention. The street remains open to the public, blurring the lines between employees at Leo's bar, Spit & Polish, regulars, and passersby. In the background, an ambulance's lights flash while unflappable drag queens continue to promote their neighbouring bars.
The Context of Rising Hate
Davies' Tip Toe examines how political rhetoric, toxic online bullying, and misinformation fuel neighbourly disputes. The location is familiar to viewers of Queer As Folk, the 1999 classic that made being gay seem cool and reflected a new era of tolerance. However, Davies notes a regression: 'We've got this slide back into something as bad as I can remember, if not worse, because now people know what they're doing.' He adds, 'In the old days, if someone punched you, you could say they were ignorant. Now they've seen us, and that anger and violence is on the rise.'
The Story and Its Themes
The feud begins when Leo asks Clive for help after being locked out of his house. Clive's reluctance and problematic views make Leo and the viewer wary. The series explores hate and how LGBTQ+ people become targets, especially after the election of Trump. Davies says, 'This isn't exclusively a gay problem, but we're an easy focus. The amount of times online I'm called a groomer and a paedophile [for supporting trans rights] is shocking.' The show's title reflects this fear: 'I used to walk into a room and go: Ta-da!' says Melba (Paul Rhys). 'Now I tip toe. Just in case.'
Cast Insights
Alan Cumming notes that Davies captures both past and present struggles. 'We've all seen the changes, we've all felt them,' he says. The drama includes a death that may seem far-fetched but feels increasingly plausible. 'It seems crazy, but he makes it absolutely plausible – and so nuanced. It's not black and white.' Cumming defends the need for such dramas: 'Why do we do the Greeks? Why do we read Shakespeare? We need to keep hearing the same stories because they're important for our culture.'
Inspiration from Real Life
Davies was inspired by his own experience of feeling unsafe at home after a fan recognized his house. 'I was fascinated by how startling that was, how porous your house feels,' he says. He then considered how others with less privilege must feel. 'If it's reaching me, what the fuck is it like on levels where you have less defence and less ability to move and less money?'
Clive's Character
Clive is not simply a monster. An electrician with two sons, he is unhappy in his marriage, struggling financially, and ostracized from colleagues. Instead of reaching out to friends, he finds validation online. Morrissey says, 'They go: it's those people. They're taking your job. So he just becomes angrier and angrier.' Davies adds, 'We're very, very fair to Clive. Even if you don't feel sympathy, you get a full understanding of his circumstances.'
Diverse Voices
Davies sought advice from writer Juno Dawson for trans characters, including Zee (Iz Hesketh). Stephanie (Elizabeth Berrington) is gender-critical. 'I wanted all sorts of voices in there,' says Davies. 'I've got friends who are gender-critical. In real life, you have a chat. It's actually how the world is ceasing to work.' As violence looms, Stephanie and Zee end up on the same side.
Hope and Joy
Despite the intense subject, Cumming feels hopeful after working with young people. 'They were so gorgeous and supportive and kind. It's very emotional.' The show features uplifting solidarity and camaraderie. 'Joy, queer joy, trans joy, Black joy is a form of protest,' says Cumming. 'It infuriates people who don't have joy.' He adds, 'There's great joy [in Tip Toe]. Some of it.'
Tip Toe starts on Sunday 31 May at 9pm on Channel 4.
