Russell Tovey, 44, has long been known as a character actor, with roles such as Rudge in The History Boys, Budgie in Gavin and Stacey, and John Chivery in Little Dorrit. But his career has shifted in recent years, with a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Years and Years and a role in American Horror Story: NYC bringing him global recognition. Now, he takes the lead in the new Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, playing Barclay, an ordinary man chosen as ambassador for humanity in negotiations with an ancient aquatic species.
Tovey describes the show as “magic” but acknowledges the pressure of leading such a large production. “On the first day of the table read, there were hundreds of people in the room. There was me and Gugu in the middle with everyone fanning out all around, and I remember thinking: ‘This is intense. This is a lot of people.’” He adds that as he has progressed in his career, he has learned the importance of professionalism and being a team player on set.
The actor, who came out as gay at 18 and has been open about his sexuality throughout his career, reflects on the responsibility of storytelling. “We have a responsibility, all of us, to choose empathy,” he says. The series, which is the final collaboration between the BBC and Disney as part of their Doctor Who deal, will air over the Christmas period, replacing the traditional Doctor Who special.
