Russell T Davies Claims BBC ‘Insists’ His Shows Have Happy Endings

Bafta-winning screenwriter Russell T Davies has said he’s happy to be collaborating with Channel 4 on his latest show Tip Toe, as the broadcaster affords him the opportunity to be more “radical” than its rivals.

Over the years, Russell has jumped around UK broadcasters, from the BBC (as with Doctor Who, A Very English Scandal and Years And Years) to ITV (with whom he collaborated on Nolly).

However, arguably the work he’s best known for – including Queer As Folk, Cucumber and, more recently, It’s A Sin – has been at Channel 4, which is set to broadcast his new drama Tip Toe later this month.

The timely Tip Toe stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as two neighbours who have co-existed for decades, but abruptly find themselves at war with one another due to their opposing views in the current political and social climate.

“It’s tough. It’s a hard piece of work,” Russell told Radio 4’s Today earlier this week. “And that’s why I’m really glad to be writing for Channel 4.

“When I write at the BBC, they insist that we give things happy endings in case it drives people away! It’s true!”

Russell continued: “That’s what Channel 4 is for, to sit back and be a bit more radical and more opinionated.”

Earlier this year, Russell told an audience at the Series Mania event: “I love Years & Years but it was only made on the assistance of the BBC, which kind of meant it had to have a happy ending.

“The world has proved me right [on the need for a sad ending] since, things are just getting worse. I loved that ending but it was a condition that you can’t be that bleak. That condition does not apply to [Tip Toe].”

Tip Toe will premiere on Channel 4 on Sunday 31 May.