Russell Tovey has been a fixture of British TV for more than two decades and has become one of the UK’s most established actors
Russell Tovey is embracing his latest role – as a bonafide silver fox(Image: Dave Benett/ Getty Images)
Russell Tovey has steadily risen to become one of the most sought-after actors on British television.
Known for his roles in popular shows like Gavin and Stacey, where he is part of Gavin and Smithy’s boisterous circle of friends, and Sherlock, where he portrays the mentally troubled Henry Knight in the highly praised Hound of the Baskerville episode, Tovey has since landed leading roles in both TV and film.
Audiences will undoubtedly remember him from his portrayal of werewolf George Sands in the hit supernatural comedy Being Human, as well as his role as Steve in the instantly beloved sitcom Him and Her, reports the Mirror.
As he prepares to feature in The Land Between the War and the Sea, we delve into his life story.
A start on the stage
Russell Tovey plays George Sands in Being Human(Image: BBC)
Like many budding actors, Tovey’s initial introduction to performing was through theatre. Born in Essex, he joined a local stage school as a child.
His talent was evident early on, landing him a role in the CBBC show Mud at just 13, although the series only lasted for a year.
The future star continued to appear in various small productions and TV shows, including episodes of Holby City and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, before securing his first major role: playing Rudge in the Tony Award-winning play The History Boys, a role he reprised in the film adaptation.
Since that time, he has established himself as one of television’s most dependable ensemble performers, featuring in virtually every significant UK television production, from The Night Manager to Doctor Who and Sherlock.
LGBTQ+ role model
Russell Tovey in Years and Years(Image: HBO)
Russell has been candid about his experience as a gay man, establishing himself as an influential figure within the LGBTQ+ community.
He revealed that he recognised his sexuality at 15, though he waited another three years before confiding in his family, having developed secret feelings for an older male colleague – emotions he desperately attempted to conceal from his peers.
He has recalled how a senior female colleague recognised his situation and approached him for a life-changing conversation. She gently indicated that he “might be gay” and provided reassurance that this would be completely acceptable.
Russell has featured in numerous programmes that examine LGBTQ+ themes, including Juice and Looking, whilst also serving as a patron for the Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports LGBT young people facing homelessness.
Discussing his involvement with the organisation, he expressed his pride in contributing to such a vital cause: “I am honoured to be associated with them and if just by being there, I can make any difference at all, then that difference is the most important thing.”
A complex romantic history
Russell discovered love with rugby coach Steve Brockman in 2016, with the couple revealing their engagement two years afterwards. Nevertheless, the couple’s romance appeared to falter, with supporters spotting that they had stopped following one another on Instagram following Russell’s post of himself with his dog on a beach, captioned: “It’s just you and me, kid.”
The duo seemed to reconcile the next year, and their romance has continued to fuel conjecture ever since.
Russell has previously discussed the emotional turmoil of that initial split, even confessing he sold his engagement ring and gave the proceeds to his brother during a family holiday to Disney World.
“We were together, then we broke up, now we’re back together… Is it like Snakes and Ladders?” he quipped at the time.
New BBC role
The War Between the Land and the Sea(Image: BBC)
Russell takes on the character of Barclay in the forthcoming BBC and Disney joint production The War Between the Land and the Sea.
The opening episode of the latest Russell T Davies science fiction limited series, which depicts the rise of an ancient underwater race threatening worldwide conflict, broadcasts this Sunday (7th December).
Discussing his character, Russell explained: “I wanted Barclay to feel like a lost boy at the beginning, and I really wanted to go on a journey with him.”
