A star rating of 5 out of 5.
Okay, so imagine this: I’m watching a new show, and it immediately throws you into chaos. The opening scene? Absolutely shocking. We’re in Manchester, and there’s a man – it’s Alan Cumming, instantly recognizable – found dead, hanging from a lamppost right outside his house. And it gets worse. David Morrissey, who plays a major role, is standing there looking completely devastated, and another actress, Elizabeth Berrington, is lying injured on the ground. It’s a really unsettling and gripping start to this five-part drama, and it’s all the work of Russell T Davies – he knows how to hook you right away!
While Tip Toe shares similar themes with Russell T Davies’ earlier shows like Queer as Folk and Cucumber, he believes the situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Britain has become significantly more difficult since those programs aired. He argues that life is now much harder for this community than it was in the 1990s and even 2015.
This is a critically important issue, and comes from one of the most insightful screenwriters working today. As Davies recently explained, LGBTQ+ rights are fragile, and the community faces real threats. His work, Tip Toe, directly addresses this ongoing struggle.
Davies immediately establishes the story’s tragic conclusion, then rewinds to ten days before the shocking event. We’re introduced to Leo (Cumming) in a funny, yet slightly unsettling scene reminiscent of Joe Orton’s work: he’s locked out of his house, half-dressed, and forced to ask his neighbor, Clive (Morrissey), for assistance.
I have to say, seeing Alan Cumming in this role was a real surprise. We’re all used to him being so commanding, like when he hosted The Traitors US, but here, he plays Leo with a beautiful vulnerability. It’s lovely to watch. He’s a bit of a showman behind the bar at his place, Spit & Polish, but when he’s just Leo, at home, he’s surprisingly insecure and easily intimidated.
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Cumming delivers a strong performance that’s perfectly matched by Morrissey’s compelling depiction of Clive. Clive is a flawed family man who crosses the line with his neighbors, and he harbors dangerous prejudices, being both racist and homophobic.
Alan Cumming shared at a BFI event in May 2026 that he’s been friends with Morrissey for around 40 years, and they once lived close to each other. When writer Tony Davies created the character of Leo for Cumming, Cumming suggested Morrissey play the role of Clive. Even though their characters don’t get along, casting them together creates an instant connection between the two main actors.
The show features strong performances from well-known actors like Charlie Condou and Denise Welch. It also introduces promising new talent, including Jackson Connor as George, Clive’s playful and openly gay teenage son; Joseph Evans as Saul, his older son who runs a webcam channel; and Iz Hesketh as Zee, a tough and determined transgender woman who works for Leo.
Composer Sam Watts, who previously scored the hit show The Traitors and was mentored by Russell T Davies during The Sarah Jane Adventures, is a great match for this project. His music has a lively feel, with subtle influences from the score of The White Lotus. Director Peter Hoar also has a strong working relationship with Davies, having collaborated on It’s a Sin and Doctor Who, and skillfully brings Davies’ distinctive energy and building suspense to the screen.
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Tip Toe creates a feeling of suspense, largely through its intense one-on-one conversations. These range from intimate talks between friends to tense interactions between rivals, and even desperate pleas for help sent through text messages.
One memorable moment in the first episode features Leo reconnecting with his longtime friend, Melba (Paul Rhys), over drinks on Canal Street. Both are gay men who have lived through significant challenges – they actively fought for LGBTQ+ rights, opposed discriminatory laws, and survived the AIDS epidemic, alongside countless others.
Watching Leo, you get the sense he’s truly weary of conflict. He jokes about turning sixty next year, a line that hits harder knowing his fate. But Melba isn’t letting him rest on his laurels. She’s trying to jolt him awake to the fact that the danger isn’t looming – it’s already here. She paints a stark picture, describing the situation not as a future threat, but as an overwhelming force – a storm, a tide, a massive tsunami – and bluntly tells him if war comes, he’ll be right in the thick of it. It’s a powerful, unsettling moment.
Melba acts as a direct voice for Russell T Davies, expressing his deepest concerns. The show quickly escalates from passionate disagreements to hateful attacks, ultimately leading to a shocking display of homophobia. ‘Tip Toe’ isn’t just thought-provoking; it’s a deeply affecting and unsettling experience, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
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2026-06-01 00:35