The War Between the Land and the Sea star’s new book adaptation casts Sherlock and 1917 actors

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Actor Russell Tovey, known for his recent role in The War Between the Land and the Sea, is now an author. His first novel, Starlings, will be released as an audiobook on Audible.

Now that the book is being adapted, a fantastic cast has been assembled, including Andrew Scott, known for his role as Sherlock, and George MacKay, who starred in 1917.

The new book, coming out on July 1st and located in Clapham, features Donald, a man in his forties who dreams of becoming a drag queen. He uses humor and makeup to hide years of underlying sadness and frustration.

After being banished from his hometown when his father caught him wearing feminine clothing, Donald spent decades running from his past. He built a life with a boisterous circle of friends while struggling to understand who he truly was.

After their father dies, Donald is surprised to see his estranged younger brother, Owen (played by MacKay), at his doorstep. The novel explores their reconnection after years of separation, as they navigate shared memories and try to heal old hurts, venturing from drag shows to local bars along the way.

Tovey expressed how honored she was to create this story and its characters, praising the incredible team at Audible and the exceptionally talented cast. She deeply admires the world and community depicted and hopes listeners will feel the same way.

The audiobook will feature a talented cast including Scott, MacKay, Michele Austin (known for her work on Black Mirror), Julian Kostov (from The White Lotus), and Jason Patel (of Virdee). Joining them are drag artists Dosa Cat, Gigi Zahir, and That Girl, and Tovey will also be voicing a character.

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Scott appeared in the newest Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, and MacKay was in Mark Jenkin’s recently released film, Rose of Nevada.

The audiobook of Starlings will become available on Audible on July 1, 2026. In the meantime, check out our list of currently available top-rated audiobooks on Audible.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a major international TV production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-06-02 18:41