RUSSELL TOVEY - No.19

Actor Russell Tovey graduated to Dickens, Doctor Who and Gavin & Stacey. Now starring as a modern-day werewolf in a new TV sitcom, he's headed for the top of the class

Last winter's 2008 Being Human pilot proved so popular that BBC3 commissioned six more episodes, which began airing a fortnight ago. Tovey, 27, plays George, one of an unorthodox triumvirate of twentysomethings sharing a Bristol flat. As if getting ahead in the world wasn't hard enough at that age, George is a werewolf, Mitchell a vampire, and Annie a ghost.

Tovey is the only original cast member returning to a show he described as "like a cross between This Life and Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Wasn't that awkward? From the back of a taxi hurtling through London's theatre district, his candid reply crackles down the line. "It was nerve-wracking. The pilot was a success and I loved working with Andrea (Riseborough) and Guy (Flanagan), and felt like, well, if it was so good and the feedback was so good, why mess around? I was nervous and slightly resentful, so I went into it kind of worried. Then we sat down for a reading and I was like, oh," he sighs with relief, "it's completely fine!"

Unaware that when his curiosity is piqued, Tovey dives in headfirst, I jokingly inquire whether he unearthed any cool werewolf lore doing his preparation. He regales me with facts and figures, including the horrifying statistic that in France, between 1520 and 1630, some 30,000 people were tried for being werewolves, many of whom were subsequently burned at the stake. "Isn't that just crazy," he marvels.

Russell paints an amusing portrait of the artist as a young eccentric, explaining that as a kid growing up in Billericay, he was prone to collections and crazes. His parents Carole and George, who run a coach company ferrying the denizens of Essex to Gatwick, were wonderfully supportive. "If I said I was interested in fossils, they'd take me to an archaeology dig. If I said I was interested in history we'd go to a museum. I had a metal detector and I'd go off for hours. I collected coins, then I became obsessed with rocks and minerals. For my eighth birthday we ended up going to the annual rock and mineral society convention! My parents were like, 'What the hell have we brought up?' Then I wanted to be a history teacher, and then I saw Dead Poets Society and The Goonies and Stand By Me, and I remember thinking, 'That's it, I want to be an actor.'" He's worked steadily since he was 11 years old, though that caused some tension at home. His father worried that Russell was missing too much school, and his mum insisted that the boy should be allowed to follow his heart. Rather a relief, he admits now, that the acting paid off!

The turning point for Tovey, and indeed the entire cast, was three years spent performing The History Boys in every format – on stage around the world, in the film version, and for a radio transmission. I'm not the first journalist to notice "The Alan Bennett Effect", but I wonder how Tovey sees it. "Alan Bennett is a star maker, he's the Simon Cowell of the theatre world! He's a beautiful, beautiful man, completely humble and so accessible. I was a fan long before meeting him, we all were. It was such an honour that he quickly became 'AB' and loved being one of the boys. When people start pandering to him he gets a bit uncomfortable." What did Tovey learn at the Master's feet? "So much that I don't even realise. What I've been given by him is… opportunity. Three years spent on a job that was amazing. Because it was so successful – as a young actor, if people want to attach you to stuff and talk about you, they need a handle and for all of us, The History Boys is that handle. We'd all worked before but that was a proper milestone, where people start taking notice." He also reckons his time at the National Theatre in London – where he took advantage of all the workshops and readings – offered incredible training which more than made up for his insecurities about not having attended drama school. Tovey writes plays and screenplays, and considers himself privileged to have 'AB' as an early reader. He points out that we have Bennett to thank for Gavin and Stacey. "James (Corden, the co-writer and co-star) told him, 'I'm thinking of writing a show,' and Alan sort of gave James the balls to go ahead and do it. Everyone (in the cast) would be able to say he's given them something specific." The friendships among the boys have had a knock-on effect professionally. There's a noticeable posse of talent performing in one another's shows. I'm particularly thinking of the swirl around the James Corden/Rob Brydon nexus, since Tovey played Budgie in two episodes of Gavin and Stacey and a gay producer in Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive.

Tovey is keen to shrug off the 'nice guy' mantle and tackle a few creeps. He's getting that opportunity with the play A Miracle, which begins rehearsals today at the prestigious Royal Court Theatre. It's the story of a soldier returning from Afghanistan who expects a hero's welcome, only to face indifference and resentment. He clashes with his family, treats the girl who loves him shabbily, and leaves a trail of emotional devastation in his wake. Sounds depressing, I say. "Yes, but it's the Royal Court and this is what they do best," he jokes.

If this year is as busy as the past one, Tovey will move into London, not least to save on extortionate late-night taxis. But it'll be a wrench leaving his close-knit family – his parents and an older brother and his fiancée who have two boys, Nathan and Mackenzie, aged four and two. Rusty is currently single, though I teasingly suggest that if he keeps getting his kit off during werewolf transformations he won't be short of admirers. "I've got really good friends and family. My parents, after 30 years, are still incredibly in love, still make each other laugh, which is a beautiful thing to see. And my brother and his fiancée are completely happy, so if I feel a bit lonely I just go and sit with them and feel their love."

Sentiments like that ought to make me hurl into a bucket, but it's like I was saying, Russell Tovey is sweet without being cloying...I predict it's only a matter of time before his name appears above the title.

Date: 02 February 2009

Source: The Scotsman

Location: Edinburgh

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.18

"Being Human" review April 2010:

I don't often review DVDs because I believe you should make up your own mind and not listen to the opinions of others. Having said that, the "Being Human" TV series is an exception to my rule. It was emotionally compelling, visually hypnotic, funny, frightening and peculiar.

I sent to the UK for the DVD box set of Seasons One and Two, after catching just the one episode on late night TV here in Oz. When the DVDs arrived, I watched at least 3 episodes per night. When finished, I did the whole set again. Even on the second run I was transfixed.

I can't easily explain why "Being Human" works, it just does. It has numerous plot twists, it uses folk lore, details and references from old vampire, werewolf and ghost movies/novels. Makeup, costumes and lighting are topnotch. It blends pop culture and nostalgia, it has good incidental music, it has pop tracks which blend seamlessly into the fabric...

Being Human transcends the humdrum plots seen in most science fiction shows (westerns set in space). The scripts border on phenomenal. The writers explore the same complicated life issues that Shakespeare did so long ago; family, life, death, loss, friendships, monsters, the afterlife and what it is to be "human" with all its complications and frailty. There are not many happy endings, just a stark brooding realism. The villains wear black and the good guys go one shade darker.

The dissimilar lead characters have different fan bases but when combined gives this production an economic rationalism untried before. I suspect Being Human would attract less of a viewing audience if they chose to focus on one monster.

The other moment of brilliance must have been the casting of Russell Tovey who seamlessly combines comedy and horror. I have a great deal of admiration for Tovey who has to take his clothes off numerous times when he becomes "the wolf". I appreciate Russell's underplay and vulnerability that he brings to his role of George. In the beginning, Tovey's light comedy touches are refreshingly charming. As the episodes unfold you tend to dread the moments his character has to transform and then you wait anxiously for the return of sweet and innocent George. The character George is the antithesis of his primal animal-like alter ego. He's insecure, indecisive, easily whipped and burning with Jewish anxiety. But what better character is there to see fall to the ground screaming as he becomes transformed into an animal insatiable for food, violence and sexual conquest. This is not some two-dimensional Teen Wolf clone that Russell plays.

The abundant DVD extras include segments where the actors talk about and expand upon their roles and it's great to see such a young cast show solid ownership of their characters. The ensemble are the ones who bring great humanity to the monsters they portray.

I hope that Season Three and beyond can keep up the cracking pace already set. This show is more complex than meets the casual eye. Yeah, for the monsters!

Tom in Oz

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.17

Press play to see Rusty G. Tovey in conversation with a reporter from New Music Express February 2010:

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.16

Toves is slowly honing his playwright skills. He's been able to get 4 written and performed: Hero in 2001, Walls in 2003, A Rock And A Hard Place in 2005 and In The Margins in 2007. More, please?

According to my Welsh peoples, Russell is lush, especially when he's in a suit.

He's even lusher without! Cheers. Where's uncle Bryn?

I know from watching Being Human, which is shown on the ABC TV Network in Australia, that Russell's character George (werewolf) often gets to go naked but it's not as gratuitous as you might think. O.K. alright, well, yes, it is!

"For some reason George always gets naked before he transforms and you see my bum all the time. Well, if that's what people want to see!" - Russell Tovey.

Above: Mr Tovey and Mr Jacob Young caught doing a little light petting in New York.

I don't know! Where did that poodle go?

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.15

In January 2006 a young 25 year old Russell Tovey gave these answers about his burgeoning career...I don't think he would regret his answers even today...

Date & place of birth

Born Saturday 14 November 1981 in Essex.

Lives now in

I live in Essex. I bought a place not far from my parents.

Training

I didn’t train. I’ve been doing this since I was a nipper. I joined a kids’ agency when I was ten. I joined a local drama club and the woman who ran it set up this agency. I got work through them from a very young age. My first job was a walk-on part in The Bill - I threw a ball at a policeman. And things sort of progressed from there.

What made you want to become an actor?

I watched a film called Dead Poets’ Society when I was ten and I remember saying “I want to be an actor.” There’s an actor in it and all he wants to do is play Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He’s made to go and do other stuff instead and in the end he kills himself - not that I’m going to do that, but it was so inspiring. I just told my parents, “that’s what I want to do, act”. They’ve always been really supportive of me. When I was at high school, I was having a lot of time off for filming work. I’d be back for three months and then off filming again, and my dad was worried that, if it was a fad, I wouldn’t have an education and I’d have wasted all that time. But I always knew this was what I wanted to do, and I wanted to make sure I could make the link from acting as a child to acting as an adult. Mum has been 100 percent there for me throughout. Well, they both have, but mum comes back again and again and again to see the show. If there’s a minor celeb in the audience, she loves it, she just wets herself! She always buys gossip magazines!

First big break

I’d say my first big break as a kid was a TV show called Mud. I got to go in the BBC Broom Cupboard and meet Andi Peters. I was 12 and thought it was just amazing! As an adult, I suppose the best thing was getting in at the National in Henry V and being there for two-and-a-half years after that. It was like my drama school, I learned loads.

If you hadn’t become an actor, what would you have done professionally?

I would have been an archaeologist. I had a metal detector when I was little and used to be obsessed with dinosaurs. I also wanted to be a history teacher. I’ve always been obsessed with the past, kings and queens and who got beheaded. And I love all the hidden secrets in London’s past. I’m always buying all these books about things people don’t know about, like Underground stations that exist but nobody knows about as they’re no longer used.

Click play above for a small slide show with voice over by Russell Tovey - you'll hear his Essex accent also called an "estuary" Essex accent.

What roles would you most like to play still?

I never really know when people ask that. I don’t have any specific roles in mind. I just want to do good writing.

What would you advise the government to secure the future of British theatre?

Support it. Just give it loads of money to keep it going and get kids away from their Playstations and into the theatre.

If you could swap places with one person (living or dead) for a day, who would it be?

Andy Warhol because he was just so out there, so mental and he absolutely inspired so many people with his art. I think it might be fun to be absolutely gaga for a day! Failing that, maybe a king?

Favourite directors

Nick Hytner because he’s given me the opportunity to do some great stuff and has taught me loads of stuff. Also, I’ve done a TV show, My Family and Other Animals, and the director on that, Sheree Folkson, is just brilliant. We have a good rapport with each other. She knows what she wants and she’s very gifted in her vision. But there are loads. At my age, I’ve already worked with some really great people so I’m very lucky.

Favourite playwrights

I have to say Alan Bennett, of course. And I also love Maber and Pinter. I reckon they’re my favourites.

Favourite after-show haunts

I’m a member of a couple of bars. Soho House, that’s always good for other theatrical people and it’s open late and it’s right in the middle of Soho. When I’m at the National, I just go to the Green Room. Anywhere really with friends is good.

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.14

Press play below for Russell Tovey and Rob Brydon sharing a Twitter moment while making Gavin and Stacey. This is from Rob's Twitter pages. The unseen film maker keeps laughing quietly as Russ and Rob muck about.

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.13

Russell Tovey:

My Life In Tracey Emin's Column

Friday, 4 May 2007

The Independent UK Newspaper.

(Russell is writing this column while Tracey is on a break)

I'm lying on my living-room floor, trying to find the best position for me and my laptop. I have no desk. I spend the majority of typing time moving from one uncomfortable position to another. Now I have a pillow supporting my chin and I write with my hands stretched far out in front of me on the carpet.

I've acted since the age of 10, when I watched the film Dead Poets' Society. I just turned to my mum and said: "I wanna be an actor." I can't remember if this was because the film made the art of screen acting so compelling, or simply because Robin Williams' performance inspired this easily influenced boy. "Oh captain, my captain!"

"Oh yeah, I'm gonna take over the world, Mum!"

But now I'm going to try writing as well. Watching Dead Poets' Society again recently, it didn't seem as good as it was all those years ago. Why is that?

I've taken to revisiting my youth recently, since coming to terms with the fact that, at 25, I'm actually an adult. When a mother on the train says to her young daughter, "Ask that man to let you through," and you look and realise that you are "that man" she's referring to, it's cemented. I now feel I'm old enough to have had a childhood.

So, I watched all these cartoons that were incredible as a kid. ThunderCats has just had a series DVD release - never before have I been so excited by something I've spotted in HMV, although the novelty quickly receded. How many times would I actually watch it? Although it would become a proud addition to the ever-growing DVD shelf. I did feel happy, however, to see that the majority of people picking up the box-set and smiling were in their mid-twenties, like me, catching each other's eyes and riding the nostalgia wave.

Trap Door, I realised, was not as scary as it once seemed. Inspector Gadget? Not as inventive. Dogtanian? What a girl! He-Man, She-Ra, DangerMouse - watching all of them deflated me. Yes, I know, these are children's shows, aimed at children, so of course they won't be as good now I'm not a child anymore, but they meant so much to me then. However, one film that still gets played in the Tovey household on a regular basis is Labyrinth. Still brilliant, still amazing puppetry - and David Bowie is still as fascinating to me as he ever was...

So, I've started writing. I say started; I've actually done it for the past five years, but now I want to do it seriously. I want an alcove window in a high-ceilinged Victorian house, with a desk in it that I can look out from and see the world milling by. I've ripped off this idea from Alan Bennett's house. I'm lucky enough to be able to call Alan my mate, having worked on The History Boys at the National Theatre, on the film of the play and on a world tour for the past three years. Being a friend of Alan Bennett has amazing advantages for a would-be writer. Whatever I write, he reads and gives me his comments - something I always take for granted at the time, but feel immensely honoured by later. What a legend.

AB has a room in his house with a desk at the window, which he can see out of but no one can see in if the lights are down. This is where he witnessed Miss Shepherd, the "Lady in the Van", and it's where his other blockbuster hits were brought to life. He's recently moved home but keeps this house to write in. I'm sure if he could do away with the rest of the house but keep this room, with the desk in the window intact, he would. Every day he cycles from the new abode back to his old house to sit at this desk.

I want to borrow this desk at some point, look out of his same window and write. I'm sure he would let me. However, I'm banking on being buffed by his talent, which I know stretches far beyond this window in Camden Town, but maybe if I wait long enough, remnants would lightly dust off and settle onto my paper while I was sitting there.

So, I'm doing Tracey's column. She said to me: "Do you wanna do it? If it's shit, though, I'll tell you, Pokey!" (she always calls me Pokey because my ears stick out), to which I responded "Hell, yeah!"

Above drawing by Euan Mactavish of Scotland

I've known Tracey for nearly four years. I've been a fan since the Turner Prize days. The Bed excited me - the mono prints, the handwriting inspired many alcohol-induced, heated discussions. They say you should never consider religion and politics when you're drunk - I think contemporary art should be added to the list. I don't know of any other subject that sparks instant controversy in the intoxicated, especially Tracey's work. Which, although I may be biased, I always defend!

The first time I met Tracey was at a street party in Spitalfields for the Queen's Golden Jubilee - she was sweeping up the street and asked me to help. Another time we met in Brick Lane and then formed a kinship at the South Bank Show awards. Every time I'm with her it's a whole new experience, always ending with me in fits (of laughter, not convulsions). She's mad but I find her completely fascinating. Can't wait to be in Venice with her for the Biennale!

So maybe this is a start of a writing career, or maybe a harsh, abrupt end. But whatever happens now, I'm going to have to get a desk of my own, because my neck is killing me...

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.12

Rusty G. Tovey (star on the rise) is average height, average build and an average blokey-bloke. Russell's acting though, is far from average. He has honed his craft with the best of them. His on screen presence is palpable. Not something most young actors can achieve. Furthermore, he's almost famous.

For some strange and unknown reason, I was compelled to make this fan blog. I have been making sculptures in my mashed potato too. Have I got a problem you think?

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.11

Russell's bottom is often seen on TV and in the theatre. His role of George in Being Human calls for him to run around naked out in the forest and when he appeared in the play A Respectable Wedding he set a few hearts racing...well according to my wife!

In Being Human, Rusty portrays a jewish boy but can't actually take his hand away from his front bits in the nude scenes as he is not actually jewish enough!

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.10

This simple fan blog has numerous photos of Essex actor Russell Tovey for viewing and sharing. If you would like to add comments please do. If you run another fan site please add me to your links and vise versa.

Russell Tovey making a sartorial statement in the Dickensian TV piece Little Dorrit. I don't know what Russell has but he has it in spades. The word sweet seems wrong and inadequate but no matter what role he plays, it shines through.

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.9

Above and below, Russell Tovey in scenes from an independent film called Drop. Russell plays a newly recruited security guard. It's a short film which builds tension and then leaves you wondering for ages "I wonder what comes next"...Brilliant!

Above and below, Russell in scenes from Education for Leisure. Best described as scary with a twist!

Below a snap of Rusty G. Tovey in Being Human. He plays werewolf George Sands! Grrrr!

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.8

Russell Tovey is making another BBC comedy about being young, unemployed and lazy (Y.U.A.L). Using an oft quoted Oz expression "It's a long way to the shop if you wanna sausage roll". Below are some snaps. The show should screen in the UK in 2010. No date is set for Oz yet!

Click link to BBC site: http://youngunemployedandlazy.co.uk/

RUSSELL TOVEY - No.7

Russell Tovey is a star on the rise. Australian audiences first saw him in 2006 performing live in Sydney. Since then I have kept an eye out for him in TV shows and slowly watched his progress. Yeah, I know it's a man-crush thinggy...a bromance! My humble Aussie fan blog is to promote his work and declare Russell Tovey is BIG down under!

Pictures above and below show Russell Tovey arriving at the Odeon Theatre for the First Light Awards 2009.