Russell T Davies's new drama, Tip Toe, opens with a shocking scene on an ordinary suburban street, then flashes back ten days to unravel the events leading to it. The series, set in Manchester, centres on Clive (David Morrissey), an electrician trapped in an unhappy marriage, and his neighbour Leo (Alan Cumming), a gay bar owner. The first episode tackles a barrage of issues, including homophobia, refugees, transgender rights, and Trump, in a manner that occasionally veers into agitprop.
Despite the heavy-handedness, Morrissey delivers a magnificent performance as Clive, a man seething with hypocrisy. He reluctantly helps Leo after a one-night stand steals his laptop, while harbouring contempt for his neighbour's sexuality. Meanwhile, Leo's bar staff confront a transgender colleague's housing crisis, and a drag queen fears exposure at his teaching job. The episode crams in debates on pronouns, online grooming accusations, and the resurgence of homophobia, leaving little room for subtlety.
Fortunately, Davies's storytelling prowess shines through from the second episode onward. The narrative gains momentum as character arcs interweave, illustrating the themes more organically. While Tip Toe lacks the discipline of Davies's earlier works like It's a Sin, the performances and building tension promise a gripping conclusion. The series airs on Channel 4 in five hour-long instalments.
