Channel 4's brand new five-part drama Tip Toe has aired its first episode, leaving a significant impression on audiences with its graphic and intense opening. The suburban thriller, starring David Morrissey and Alan Cumming, was created by It's A Sin mastermind and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies.
Plot Overview
The story follows neighbours electrician Clive (Morrissey) and gay bar owner Leo (Cumming), who have coexisted peacefully for 15 years. However, their relationship quickly turns bitter when Clive's deeply-held prejudiced views come to the fore, leading to a dramatic confrontation.
Viewer Reactions
Prior to the drama's debut, Cumming appeared on ITV's This Morning where he described it as "overwhelming and brutal". He said: "It's about the way that violence and hatred are sort of normalised so much in our culture nowadays. It's hopefully a wake-up call for everybody."
Viewers were quick to echo his sentiments, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions within minutes of the drama beginning. The opening scene depicted Leo's lifeless body suspended from a lamppost, a harrowing image that shocked many.
- One wrote: "That's beyond frightening for the opening scene."
- Another said: "F*** me, that's an opening scene #tiptoe."
- A further viewer commented: "There's only one way this could begin. And that's at the end."
Despite the hard-hitting opening, audiences appeared largely enthusiastic about the drama. One added: "Good start, the tension is already simmering." Another stated: "Looks like Russell T Davies will have another hit on his hands."
Inspiration Behind the Story
While Tip Toe is not based on real events, it draws inspiration from Russell T Davies and his friends' lived experiences. He told HuffPost UK: "Things happened both at work and at home – in ways that I'm not going to go into because it'll only encourage them to happen again, genuinely – that made me think 'that's enough'. If this anger, this violence and these lies are getting close to my life – I'm in a very privileged, lucky and well off position, so for those who are not so well off, then this must be really bad. These times must be getting worse and worse and worse."
Davies continued at the Tip Toe screening: "I think it's a crisis happening day after day – and it's anyone. Everyone's being weaponised against [each other]. You could make a Jewish version of this drama, you could make a disabled version of this drama, women could make this drama. I see straight white men who could make this drama, feeling marginalised. It's the temperature of the dialogue and the argument and the pitch of it – all driven by our phones – that's alarming me greatly."
Tip Toe is available to watch on Channel 4.
