Russell T Davies says his “emergency” drama Tip Toe is relevant to all communities: “It’s a crisis”

by

Russell T Davies says his Channel 4 show, Tip Toe, tackles a critical issue that impacts everyone, not just the LGBTQ+ community. He describes it as an ’emergency’ situation.

This five-episode series follows Leo and Clive, neighbors and friends of over ten years, as their relationship slowly falls apart.

Even though they know each other fairly well, they get caught up in a worsening conflict with terrible results. Davies believes this situation reflects bigger problems within society as a whole.

The creator of Tip Toe highlighted the increasing prejudice and hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, but also noted that similar feelings of intense isolation are affecting many other groups as well, as they explained at a BFI event.

He described a growing problem happening constantly, affecting everyone. He explained that people are being turned against one another, and this conflict could manifest in many forms – for example, focusing on issues faced by Jewish people, people with disabilities, or women.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission because reCAPTCHA might use cookies and similar technologies. If you agree, click ‘Accept and continue’ to enable it.

It’s striking to see even privileged men feeling left out. What really worries me isn’t the subject of the drama itself, but how we’re communicating – the intense, fast-paced nature of online arguments and conversations, fueled by our constant use of phones.

Technology often fuels increasing division, and in Clive’s case, many of his extreme or inaccurate beliefs come from unreliable websites and online sources, not from people he interacts with personally.

Morrissey pointed out that someone would prefer to trust anonymous online critics – people they never actually encounter – over the real-life evidence presented by someone right in front of them.

Want to see this content?

This page includes videos from YouTube. Before they appear, we need your permission because YouTube uses cookies and similar tools. Click ‘Accept and continue’ to watch the videos and allow YouTube to function as needed.

Throughout the show, it becomes clear that these two men could potentially become friends, or at least find a way to disagree respectfully. However, one of them becomes increasingly determined and visibly angrier as things progress.

He explained that the issue stems from feelings of loneliness and a lack of affection. He also noted that the person’s negative thoughts are being repeatedly reinforced and confirmed, making them even stronger.

The cast of Tip Toe includes Elizabeth Berrington, known for her role in Frauds, Denise Welch from Waterloo Road, Pooky Quesnel who appeared in Moonflower Murders, Iz Hesketh of Renegade Nell, and Paul Rhys, famous for his work in Wuthering Heights, as well as other talented actors.

Tip Toe premieres on Channel 4 on Sunday 31 May 2026.

Don’t miss out on Tip Toe! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV and streaming drama and comedy for TopMob. Before that, he worked at Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a Journalism degree from the University of Sheffield.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-05-26 18:06