Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe is a hard-hitting social drama that is already raking in rave reviews – and it’s not his first show to make a splash.
The new Channel 4 series follows almost-60-year-old Leo, owner of a gay club in Manchester, who clashes with his homophobic neighbour Clive, who has fallen down the conspiracy theory, Reform rabbit hole.
From the get-go, Russell makes clear that this show is a gut-punching response to the societal rollback of LGBTQ+ acceptance and the alarming rates at which the rights of this marginalised community are being threatened.
Outside of Doctor Who, the TV legend is well-known for his unapologetically political dramas – often with queer people at the heart of them.
After making a name for himself with the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ drama Queer as Folk in the early 00s, he has gone on to pen several acclaimed limited series, including Years and Years, which warned of the rise of fascism, and It’s A Sin, which delved into the 80s AIDS crisis.
But there’s one drama which fans of his latest show must put on their watchlist next, and that’s his 2018 drama, A Very English Scandal.
The political series is based on the true story of the leader of the Liberal Party, Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant), in the late 1960s, who conspired to murder his ex-lover, Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw) and the trial that followed.
The three-part series deftly flits between humour and pathos, bringing light and dark to this shocking true scandal.
Ultimately, the powerful drama, which reflected the fearful state of LGBTQ+ acceptance during this era, secured Ben a Bafta, Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance, and the show landed a stunning 97% Rotten Tomatoes score based on 69 reviews.
‘Clever, confident, and deliciously cruel, with a perfect script from Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies and performances that cannot be bested,’ The Australian praised.
What does Metro think of Tip Toe
Metro contributor Adam Miller shares his four-star review of the show…
Tip Toe is Davies at his most impassioned; a wake-up call that this is not a time to be complacent. We are sleepwalking into a chapter of increasing fascism, increasing hate, and a world where it is becoming increasingly dangerous to walk down the street and even hint at queerness.
Leo isn’t even safe in his own home. The homophobia from next door seeps through the adjoining wall; his guard must be up at all times.
Clive is trapped in a miserable marriage, his two sons both keeping secrets from him he’ll never understand, and, as a middle-aged white man, he believes the world is out to get him.
If it’s not the gay community taking over Britain with Pride flags hanging on every street corner, it’s immigrants taking his job.
You can read the full review here.
‘If you think British historical dramas are all decorous whisperings about how one should behave upon meeting the queen, this mini-series is here to prove that notion wrong,’ Vulture declared.
Meanwhile, TV Guide reflected: ‘Although A Very English Scandal will probably best be remembered for the two incredible performances at the heart of its narrative.
‘It is also a careful study in how to balance a story in which the truth is almost certainly stranger than any fiction.’
Elsewhere, it’s been hailed for being ‘equal parts sinister and disarming’, ‘funny and constantly engaging’ and a ‘must-see’. Need I go on?
Discussing what inspired him to create the multi-award-winning show – based on a book by John Preston – Russell told the BBC at the time that this was one of the very first new stories involving gay people he came across as a boy.
‘There was a big gay story when I was a young lad, which was rare, so I had always had it in mind.
‘Literally for the past 10 years I had tracked this story – I had asked around about making a version of it and people always had a reason why not,’ he said about the process of finally telling the tale on the small screen.’
A Very English Scandal is available to buy or rent from Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV Plus now.
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