Russell T Davies's new drama, Tip Toe, opens with a shocking scene on an ordinary suburban street, before flashing back ten days to reveal the events leading up to it. The series stars David Morrissey as Clive, an electrician trapped in an unhappy marriage, who reluctantly helps his flamboyant gay neighbour Leo (Alan Cumming) after a mishap.
The first episode covers a wide range of contemporary issues, including refugees, homophobia, transgender rights, and the influence of Donald Trump. While the writing occasionally veers into agitprop, the performances are excellent, and Davies's storytelling brilliance ensures that the narrative builds momentum from the second episode onward.
Despite a somewhat heavy-handed start, Tip Toe gradually weaves its strands together, creating a compelling drama that explores the complexities of modern life. The series is set in Manchester's Canal Street, a nod to Davies's earlier work, Queer as Folk.
