Alan Cumming and David Morrissey lead the cast of Russell T Davies’s new hard-hitting drama Tip Toe, the final three episodes of which are about to arrive on Channel 4.
Cumming plays Leo, the owner of a gay bar in Manchester whose relationship with his neighbour, Morrissey’s Clive, deteriorates dramatically over the course of a week.
The series explores the rise in hate towards LGBTQ+ people, but Davies, who has previously been behind It’s a Sin, Queer as Folk and Cucumber, has said that the show will be relevant to all viewers, as it captures a widespread sense of intolerance and prejudice affecting many different communities.
Of course, it’s not just Cumming and Morrissey in the cast. Other key roles are played by the likes of Elizabeth Berrington, Denise Welch and Pooky Quesnel. But who else stars and who do they all play?
Read on for your full introduction to the Tip Toe cast and their characters.
Tip Toe cast: Full list of actors and characters in Russell T Davies drama
Here’s a full round-up of the Tip Toe cast – read on for more details on each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Alan Cumming as Leo
- David Morrissey as Clive
- Elizabeth Berrington as Stephanie
- Denise Welch as Diane
- Pooky Quesnel as Marie
- Jackson Connor as George
- Joseph Evans as Saul
- Iz Hesketh as Zee
- Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo as Judy
- Gabriel Clark as Mikey
- Shakeel Kimotho as Hanna
- Paul Rhys as Melba
- Charlie Condou as Curtis
- Dominic Holmes as Regime
Alan Cumming as Leo
Who is Leo? Leo is a gay man, who lives and works in Manchester. He manages a gay bar on the city’s famous Canal Street, named Spit & Polish, which he opened with his longtime ex-partner. Unfortunately, the relationship abruptly ended some time ago, leaving Leo with questions about what his future will look like now.
What else has Alan Cumming been in? Cumming currently hosts the US version of popular game show The Traitors. Previously, his acting career has encompassed the likes of 007: GoldenEye, Spy Kids and X-Men 2, where he played teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (soon to return in Avengers: Doomsday). On the small screen, he’s known for The Good Wife and Doctor Who, where he played both King James and animated villain Mr Ring-a-Ding (in two different episodes).
David Morrissey as Clive
Who is Clive? Clive is Leo’s next-door neighbour of more than a decade. Despite such a long period living only a door away, the two men are little more than casual acquaintances, but are brought into closer contact during one extraordinary week. Clive himself is an electrician with two sons, Saul and George, plus a wife who largely cannot stand him.
What else has David Morrissey been in? Morrissey rose to prominence with roles in One Summer and Holding On, while later credits include Doctor Who (as Jackson Lake), The Walking Dead (as The Governor) and Sherwood (as detective Ian St Clair). He currently appears opposite Aimee Lou Wood in BBC comedy Daddy Issues. On the big screen, he’s appeared in The Other Boleyn Girl, Welcome to the Punch and The Woman in Cabin 10, among other features.
Elizabeth Berrington plays Stephanie
Who is Stephanie? Stephanie is Leo’s close friend. Although they clash on some opinions, they have a strong bond and are capable of always being honest with each other – at times, brutally.
What else has Elizabeth Berrington been in? The prolific character actor has a long list of TV credits to her name, including The Office (UK), Psychoville, Doctor Who, Black Mirror, Stella, Sanditon and Frauds. Most recently, she’s appeared in Bookish, The Death of Bunny Munro and the Good Omens feature-length finale. On the big screen, she’s collaborated with filmmaker Mike Leigh on Naked, Secrets & Lies and Vera Drake.
Pooky Quesnel plays Marie
Who is Marie? Marie is Clive’s wife of many years. Unfortunately, their relationship has soured in recent years, leaving them prone to blazing rows and general disengagement.
What else has Pooky Quesnel been in? Quesnel is known for roles in Family Affairs, EastEnders, Top Boy, Waterloo Road and The A Word. She reprised the latter role of Louise Wilson in spin-off Ralph & Katie. Most recently, she starred opposite Lesley Manville in BBC mystery drama Moonflower Murders.
Jackson Connor plays George
Who is George? George is Clive’s youngest son, who is wrestling with his identity.
What else has Jackson Connor been in? Connor played Sam in BBC Three’s young adult drama Phoenix Rise. During this early stage in his career, he’s also been working as a dental nurse.
Joseph Evans plays Saul
Who is Saul? Saul is Clive’s eldest son, who has followed him into the family business – but has a secret side hustle of his own.
What else has Joseph Evans been in? Evans has appeared in romantic films The Map That Leads to You and Finding Emily. He also had a short stint on Coronation Street in the role of Jackson Hodge.
Iz Hesketh plays Zee
Who is Zee? Zee is a trans woman who works for Leo at Spit & Polish. She considers ‘Zee’ to be a placeholder name, having not decided what she’d like to be known as for the long term.
What else has Iz Hesketh been in? Hesketh is best known for her portrayal of Kitty Draper on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. She also featured in Sally Wainwright’s short-lived fantasy drama Renegade Nell.
Paul Rhys plays Melba
Who is Melba? Melba is a longtime friend of Leo’s, who harbours enormous fear over what the future might look like for LGBTQ+ people, amid a rising tide of prejudice. A relatively lonely figure, Melba’s greatest source of comfort is Leo and the community he’s built at Spit & Polish.
What else has Paul Rhys been in? Rhys has recently appeared in Emerald Fennell films Wuthering Heights and Saltburn, plus BBC dramas The Way and Men Up. Other credits include A Discovery of Witches, Victoria and Being Human.
Denise Welch plays Diane
Who is Diane? Diane is a customer of Clive’s, with whom he finds plenty in common.
What else has Denise Welch been in? Welch is known for her roles in Coronation Street (as Natalie Barnes), Hollyoaks (as Trish Minniver) and Waterloo Road (as Steph Haydock). She is also known as one of the presenters of Loose Women.
Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo plays Judy
Who is Judy? Judy is another manager at Spit & Polish, who works to ensure that their free-spirited staff are looked after – and behaving themselves.
What else has Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo been in? You may recognise her from Netflix’s mega-hit fantasy comedy Wednesday, where she plays Sheriff Ritchie Santiago. Other credits include Prime Video romcom How to Date Billy Walsh and sci-fi drama Devs.
Gabriel Clark plays Mikey
Who is Mikey? Mikey is a bartender at Spit & Polish.
What else has Gabriel Clark been in? Clark played Oliver Morgan in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Shakeel Kimotho plays Hanna
Who is Hanna? Hanna is another member of the Spit & Polish bar team.
What else has Shakeel Kimotho been in? Kimotho makes her screen debut in Tip Toe.
Tip Toe continues on Channel 4 on Sunday 7 June at 9pm.
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