David Morrissey discusses new Channel 4 drama Tip Toe

Russell T Davies (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

The Walking Dead star is leading the cast of Tip Toe, Russell T Davies’ new five-part thriller, which aired last night (May 31) and also features Gabriel Clark from Harwood, best known for playing Ollie Morgan in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, stars as Mickey and Dominic Holmes from Great Lever plays Regime, who is a teacher by day and drag queen by night

The series follows two neighbours whose relationship deteriorates as increasingly radicalised views drive them apart.

For Morrissey, the drama’s central message is one of empathy and connection in an increasingly polarised world.

“What we can’t have is a binary world of ‘us and them’,” he said.

“There is no ‘us and them’. There’s just us.”

The Liverpool-born actor, known for roles in State Of Play and The Walking Dead, described his character Clive as a man carrying “a lot of darkness inside him”.

He said: “But really, it’s about all of us recognising those moments in ourselves and asking: what are the consequences of my actions, and also my inaction?

“We’re living in a world that’s so polarised and divided, so the question becomes how do we reach out to each other?”

Tip Toe stars Morrissey as Clive and Alan Cumming as Leo, neighbours who have lived side by side in Manchester for almost 15 years before becoming bitter enemies.

Despite Clive’s prejudices and flaws, Morrissey believes the character is ultimately someone in need of community rather than isolation.

“He needs openness, dialogue, neighbours, connection,” he said.

“I don’t have to agree with everybody all the time.

“What I do have to do is respect them, have empathy for them, and want that for others too.”

Davies, whose previous work includes Queer as Folk and It’s A Sin, said the series was inspired by growing concerns about division in society and the role social media plays in fuelling it.

Russell T Davies (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

He said: “I do think it’s absolutely the fault of this online world, completely.

“Every survey, every crime report, every fact seems to suggest we’re in trouble.”

However, the writer stressed that Tip Toe is not about creating heroes and villains.

“Take Clive: I understand why people read him as hateful, but he’s so much more than that,” Davies said.

“He’s lonely, excluded, angry, scared and also curious.”

Scottish actor Cumming said the story resonated with his own experiences as a gay man.

“I live in a very privileged, liberal queer bubble,” he said.

“But sticking your head above the parapet means that I feel the hatred, or certainly I see it on my phone.”

The actor added that younger members of the LGBTQ+ community have spoken about feeling increasingly anxious in public, even in places traditionally viewed as welcoming and progressive.