Starz is acquiring Russell T Davies’ drama ‘Tip Toe’ for the US and Canada

Russell T Davies’ drama “Tip Toe” heads to Starz in the US and Canada.

The network has exclusively acquired the LGBTQ+ drama series, which stars Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as warring neighbors.

The five-part series will premiere in North America later this year.

Cumming plays Leo, while Morrissey stars as Clive, two men in Manchester who have lived next door to each other for almost fifteen years before relations unexpectedly deteriorate.

“Leo runs Spit & Polish, a bar on Canal Street and Clive is an electrician with two teenage sons,” the synopsis reads. “But just when life should be calming down for both of them, the world around them becomes increasingly tense. Words become weapons, opinions radicalize and gradually the two neighbors become deadly enemies in a tense, suspenseful drama that highlights the prejudices that have crept back into our lives, in a story that speaks not only to the queer community, but to the entire world.”

Pooky Quesnel, Jackson Connor, Joseph Evans, Elizabeth Berrington, Iz Hesketh, Shakeel Kimotho, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Paul Rhys, Charlie Condou and Denise Welch also star in the show, which was shot on location in Manchester. It is directed by Peter Hoar.

“Russell T Davies has created a gripping and deeply affecting series that speaks directly to the cultural tensions and fears shaping modern life,” said Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks. “Anchored by extraordinary performances from Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, ‘Tip Toe’ explores identity, fear and polarization in our society in a way that is at once funny, devastating and deeply human. It’s exactly the kind of bold and original storytelling we’re committed and proud to do at Starz.”

Davies said: “It is my great joy to return to Starz after many years. The launch of ‘Tip Toe’ in the UK has shown that audiences are hungry for strong, bold, quirky material – and that is a perfect fit for Starz!”

Executive producers are Nicola Shindler, Russell T Davies and Alan Cumming, with Phil Collinson producing. The cast is by Andy Pryor. “Tip Toe” was created by Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios) for Channel 4. ITV Studios distributes the show internationally.

Katie Buchanan and Rob Kaplan of ITV Studios brokered the deal.