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Russell T Davies’s Channel 4 drama Tip Toe has well and truly taken the nation by storm.
Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as neighbours in a humdrum Manchester suburb, the five-part thriller sees the pair go from friendly acquaintances to deadly enemies.
Throughout, the show also explores the alarming rise of homophobia, toxic masculinity and societal radicalisation.
Following the release of its final episode on Tuesday night, viewers were left speechless after a ‘harrowing’ ending.
Alan, who plays Leo – a proud, middle-aged gay man – also revealed to Metro what his true feelings were about Tip Toe’s ending.
However, if you’re in the mood for another piercing state-of-the-nation drama, here are seven other brutal, yet urgent shows to binge next.
It’s a Sin
When Russell’s masterpiece of a series It’s a Sin first aired, the impact was truly monumental.
Charting the lives of a group of friends navigating the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980s London, the five-part series is the epitome of essential viewing.
Equally raw, and heartbreaking as it is funny, the series manages to balance intimate personal stories next to staggering social failures surrounding the epidemic.
Just like Tip Toe, it leaves a long lasting impact after the final credits roll.
It’s a Sin is available to watch on Channel 4.
Pose
Next up on the list is Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed TV show Pose.
Set against the opulent and underground ballroom culture of 1980s and ’90s New York, the LGBTQ+ series is a celebration of identity, resilience, and community.
While dazzling with fashion and dance, it never shies away from the harsh realities of prejudice, disease, and marginalisation.
It also reminds viewers that behind every headline are human lives that demand empathy.
Pose is available to watch on Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer.
I May Destroy You
Michaela Coel’s groundbreaking drama I May Destroy You has been no stranger to receiving high praise.
Exploring consent, trauma, and the complexities of modern relationships with unflinching honesty, the BBC series catapulted Michaela to global stardom.
However, it was the drama’s approach to a fragmented narrative that forced audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about power, memory, and survival in the digital age.
I May Destroy You is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Angels in America
Tony Kushner’s adaptation of his iconic play is a sprawling exploration of AIDS, politics and identity in 1980s America.
Airing on HBO in 2003, the series has widely been hailed by audiences, and it holds a 92% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Boasting 11 Emmy Awards to its name, the Mike Nichols directed series doesn’t shy away from themes of death, illness and political corruption.
But within the show’s heavy subject matter, it still manages to maintain its surreal, fantastical elements.
Angels in America is available to stream on HBO MAX.
A Very English Scandal
Russell’s 2018 drama A Very English Scandal boasts a stellar cast of Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.
Hugh, who plays leader of the Liberal Party Jeremy Thorpe in the late 1960s is conspired to murder his ex-lover, Norman Scott (Ben).
The three-part series blends true crime, political intrigue, and dark comedy in this shocking true scandal.
It also reflects the fearful state of LGBTQ+ acceptance during this era and societal hypocrisy.
A Very English Scandal is available to buy or rent from Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV Plus now.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Since the moment The Handmaid’s Tale first aired in 2017, viewers have routinely been horrified by some of the most intense viewing imaginable.
Based on real events that have happened, Margaret Attwood’s chilling dystopian vision of society is another brutal, yet urgent watch.
As women’s autonomy is stripped away, the series sees the religous right impose a violent dictatorship.
In an oppressive world, however, subtle acts of resistance inspire a rebellion against the strict order.
The Handmaid’s Tale is available to watch on Channel 4.
Queer as Folk
Last, but certainly not least, Russell’s Davies’ original British series was truly groundbreaking with its frank depiction of LGBTQ+ life, love, and community.
Chronicling the lives of three gay men living in Manchester, the series – much like Tip Toe – illustrates the highs and lows of living authentically in a society that doesn’t always accept difference.
Starring Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly and a young Charlie Hunnam, the series is a natural companion to the moral urgency of Tip Toe.
Queer as Folk and Tip Toe are available to watch on Channel 4.
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