RUSSELL TOVEY - No.1263

THE RETURN OF BEING HUMAN SEASON FOUR

Tom_In_Oz_: @bbcbeinghuman Could someone please let Toby know in his latest blog post it's "WHET" your appetite not "WET." With thanks, Tom in Oz

bbcbeinghuman: @Tom_In_Oz_ typos been noted, thank you. Will change ASAP x

Tom_In_Oz_: @bbcbeinghuman such a lovely blog post but it made me laugh when I read the wrong choice of word. Thanks for reply. #TeamBH

Tom_In_Oz_: @bbcbeinghuman might wanna remove my comment then from blog postings I left one there. Thanks again, Tom

KnaveoG: @bbcbeinghuman No leave it then when you fix the Typo @Tom_In_Oz_ will seem to be wrong.

Tom_In_Oz_: @KnaveoG @bbcbeinghuman Dear Ewan BLOCKED REPORTED and UNFOLLOWED #TeamBRU

joooos1: @KnaveoG I like your thinking Ewan! @bbcbeinghuman @tom_in_oz_

Tom_In_Oz_: @joooos1 @KnaveoG @bbcbeinghuman ALSO BLOCKED REPORTED AND UNFOLLOWED #TeamBRU

bbcbeinghuman: @Tom_In_Oz_ no worries. It's what you get with a creative creator and a dyslexic editor :( x

Corrected copy from 

BBC BEING HUMAN BLOG

Happy New Year!  Hello again. And sorry it’s been too long.

Every year we set ourselves the task of creating something bigger and bolder and better than anything that’s happened before. We knew this year was going to be especially tough because of the various cast changes. Not only would it be our first series without Aidan, but Russell had decided his Being Human journey was also coming to an end. The mountain before us seemed even higher than usual.

But another way of looking at it was that series 4 was a blank page. And speaking as someone who has had to face a blank page pretty much every day for the last thirteen or so years, I saw it as an opportunity: We could create new characters, expand the show in different directions, create new worlds and monsters and heroes. Once we started looking at it like that it became a genuinely thrilling prospect.

The thing I’m most proud of is the new set of characters. You’ll be aware of bits and bobs of casting by now. Damien Molony joins the team as Hal. Hand on heart, I think he’s one of the most exciting and versatile actors of his generation. Watching his performance grow over the filming was a joy.

Then there’s Michael Socha. Promoted from semi-reg to lead cast. If you thought he was good in series 3, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Michael will break your heart this year.

And of course beautiful Lenora. Our star. The heart of the show. And this year she gives a truly breathtaking performance. One of my favourite moments of 2011 was the first full screening of episode three, when she left us all with our jaws on our chests.

But the innovations and treats aren’t just restricted to your telly-box. This year we’re offering more additional online content than ever before. Look out for in-depth peeks into new and returning characters, plus exclusive prequels to whet your appetite in the run up to episode one.

But then, as the series progresses, we’ll be giving you a whole host of extra materials in the form of on-line only scenes, photos, letters and audio. In fact, you’re going to need to stay glued to this blog because we’ll be releasing a new piece of content every single day during the transmission of series 4! Some of which will contain clues to unlocking the mystery at the heart of series 4, and some will just be tasty insights or snapshots or explorations of the worlds and characters we’ve created. It will be up to you to work out what is important and what is not…

As I said earlier, Russell felt it was time to hang up the wolf ears and fangs. We were obviously very disappointed to see him go, but as I’ve always said about our cast, you can’t hang on to actors that good forever. I know we’d all like to think they’re our little secret, but I’m afraid other people tend to notice when someone’s that good. I’m reminded of a moment in series 2, when George is talking about moving in with his girlfriend. Annie is devastated, but Mitchell knows that there’s not much they can do. Then Annie leans across to Mitchell and mutters “We have a cage…”

Believe me, that thought did occur to us too.

News of Russell’s departure – and to Aidan’s before that – was greeted with rather wearying predictions that the show was now ‘over’. I write this the day after seeing the final cut of episode eight, and take it from me, the show has never been in ruder health. The new cast, the crew and directors and the other writers have pulled off something extraordinary. It’s still the show you love, but it’s richer and more confident and artful than ever. So sit back, grab a cushion to hide behind and some tissues for the inevitable tears. Because to mis-quote Mark Twain, rumours of Being Human’s death have been greatly exaggerated.

NEW AVATAR CHOICES

Tom_In_Oz_: @RussellTovey My choice of avatar for Russell would be something a little more sophisticated and striking like the one above! Not the ones below that he is trying out.

MarkMMerrett: @Tom_In_Oz_ @russelltovey I agree Tommy

Tom_In_Oz_: @RussellTovey my other choice is below.

joooos1: @Tom_In_Oz_ hot!

I’LL STITCH IT UP!

BJinLondon: @russelltovey nice plug for spirit tours in your "My London" piece. If you want another behind the scenes tour let me know!

russelltovey: @BJinLondon never had one, desperate to do it!!! Can I? X

BJinLondon: @russelltovey of course. Let me know when and I'll stitch it up!

russelltovey: @BJinLondon Amazing x will dm so i have you saved...

Russell Tovey's My London

'I like anywhere in Soho. I go there nearly every night'

Russell Tovey's My London

Lucy Hunter Johnston
6 Jan 2012

The Essex boy actor breakfasts in his local caff and parties on Old Compton Street

Home is… 
Billericay in Essex. It's always in my heart.

Where do you live? 
I moved to Tufnell Park two years ago. I love it because I don't have to spend £70 on a taxi home every Friday night any more.

What was the last play you saw?
Matilda just before Christmas. I've since downloaded some of the songs to sing along to.

What advice would you give a tourist coming to London? 
Get on a river boat, you see a completely new side of London.

What's the first thing you do when you arrive back home? 
Text my mum to say I've landed safely and I love her. I'm a bit of a mummy's boy.

Which shops do you rely on? 
I love Liberty for home stuff, clothes, toiletries and bits of art. Dover Street Market is cool, especially the Comme des Garçons bit. Fopp in Covent Garden is the dream; it has DVDs for about £2. I get my books from Koenig on Charing Cross Road and I go to Uniqlo for basics.

What's the best meal you've had?
My local caff does the best meals, but I won't give you the name because it's my secret. I've been known to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there on the same day. The food tastes like my nan's and she was an awesome cook.

If you could live in any building which would it be?
Dennis Severs' house in Spitalfields, which is one of the original Georgian houses that has been preserved exactly as it would have been. The only problem is that once you'd arrived with your iPad, it'd all be ruined.
 What's your earliest London memory?
Going to the Tower of London when I was about six and thinking, 'Wow, people had their heads cut off here.'

What's the most romantic thing someone's ever done for you?
My ex scattered rose petals on my doorstep after a fight. He thought it was a romantic gesture but I found it annoying because I had to sweep them up.

How would you like the opening line of your obituary to read?
'His ears may have never stopped growing, but neither did his talent.'

Which is your favourite street for shopping?
I like the streets off Covent Garden, such as Seven Dials and Neal Street.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day? 
Make everyone go commando. I'd love knowing that no one around me was wearing pants.

What's the best advice you've been given? 
James Corden told me: 'Just be brilliant, it's as simple as that.'

Do you have a recurring dream? 
That I'm flying around my junior school after a running start through the playground.

What animal would you like to be?
A bird of prey, so I could get to auditions quicker, although I probably wouldn't have an acting career.
 Who's your hero?
Robin Williams is the reason I'm an actor.

What was the last album you bought? 
Amy Winehouse's Lioness: Hidden Treasures. It's so sad to listen to.
 What's your biggest extravagance?
Almond M&Ms, but I'm trying to cut back. You can't get them in this country, but I once tweeted that I like them and now I get sent supplies from all over the world.
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Dear Tovey Blog readers, can I just let you know my German twin Tom Markstahler, was the first to send Almond M&Ms to Mr Tovey in mid-2010. 
Now back to the rest of the article...
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 Which is your favourite club? 
Anywhere in Soho. I go out there nearly every night.
 What are your favourite London discoveries? 
There's a grate in the middle of Charing Cross Road at the end of Old Compton Street, if you look down it you see another street, with a road sign that says 'Little Compton Street'. How is there a street under the road?

What do you most like wearing?
I'm obsessed with Ralph Lauren polo shirts.
 What are you up to at the moment? 
I've just finished shooting Effie in London and Venice, and am now in rehearsals for Sex with a Stranger at the Trafalgar Studios.

Have you ever had a run-in with a policeman?
I got pulled over for speeding along the Embankment by an officer on a bike. I tried to charm him with the fact that we shared a birthday, but he wasn't having it

Tell me something I don't know about London...
Apparently if you go to the Natural History Museum and ask them to take you to the 'spirit' collection you can view all Charles Darwin's original specimens.

Where did you last go on holiday? 
I've just got back from Tokyo where I went with a mate for New Year.

Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville is on BBC One on Sunday at 8.30pm


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TRIPLE TREAT 6-1-2012

Below: Click map to enlarge. The Tovey Blog made history today. It triple trended on Russell's Twitter name.