Russell Tovey

Tovey was born on 14 November 1981 in Billericay, Essex.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/5001850/Russell-Tovey-interview-A-History-Boy-with-a-big-future.html |title=Russell Tovey interview: A History Boy with a big future |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=18 March 2009 |first=Byrony |last=Gordon |archive-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320184815/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/5001850/Russell-Tovey-interview-A-History-Boy-with-a-big-future.html |url-status=live }}Randall, Lee. "[http://www.scotsman.com/news/actor-russell-tovey-graduated-to-dickens-doctor-who-and-gavin-amp-stacey-now-starring-as-a-modern-day-werewolf-in-a-new-tv-sitcom-he-s-headed-for-the-top-of-the-class-1-756660 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132315/http://www.scotsman.com/news/actor-russell-tovey-graduated-to-dickens-doctor-who-and-gavin-amp-stacey-now-starring-as-a-modern-day-werewolf-in-a-new-tv-sitcom-he-s-headed-for-the-top-of-the-class-1-756660 |date=24 September 2015 }}." The Scotsman. 1 February 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2013. He is the younger of two sons of Carole (née Webb) and George Tovey, who ran a Romford-based coach service taking passengers from Essex to Gatwick Airport. Tovey has an older brother, Daniel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/more-mr-nice-guy-why-everyone-loves-russell-tovey-2067802.html|title=More Mr Nice Guy: Why everyone loves Russell Tovey|date=4 September 2010|website=The Independent|access-date=11 September 2017|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111014138/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/more-mr-nice-guy-why-everyone-loves-russell-tovey-2067802.html|url-status=live}} He attended Harold Court School in Harold Wood and Shenfield High School.

Tovey noted that as a boy he "was an avid collector of various things and prone to participating in fads." His parents supported his efforts, taking him to archaeological digs and museums, buying him a metal detector and going to conventions for mineralogists. For a time he wanted to be a history teacher, but after seeing Dead Poets Society, The Goonies, and Stand By Me he decided to be an actor. For a time during his teens he worked as a kitchen assistant in Billericay's King's Head pub.

Tovey began his career as a child actor. He joined a local drama club and garnered the attention of a talent agent. He worked from the age of 11 and missed so much school that his father suggested he should cut back, but his mother persuaded his father to let their son continue. His TV career started in 1994, when he was cast in Mud, a children's series broadcast on CBBC.

He left secondary school at the age of 16 and started a BTEC in performing arts at Barking College. He was expelled after a year for refusing a role in the school play in favour of a paying acting job. He acted in plays in Chichester under the direction of Debra Gillett, wife of Patrick Marber. He met Marber through Gillett, and Marber cast him in the play Howard Katz at the National Theatre. He also performed in His Girl Friday and His Dark Materials there.

In 2004, he took the role of Rudge in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys at the Royal National Theatre as well as touring to Broadway, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong and playing the role in the radio and film adaptations.{{IBDB name|id=412506}}. Retrieved 5 November 2006[http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=7785 The History Boys 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411153959/http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=7785 |date=11 April 2016 }}, Royal National Theatre. Retrieved 17 October 2006{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/the-history-boys/2006/02/13/1139679513099.html | title = The History Boys | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date = 17 October 2006 | date = 9 March 2006 | archive-date = 9 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071209222717/http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/the-history-boys/2006/02/13/1139679513099.html | url-status = live }}{{cite news | url = http://nbr.co.nz/smythe/2006/02/nziaf-history-boys-more-is-more.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118191504/http://nbr.co.nz/smythe/2006/02/nziaf-history-boys-more-is-more.html | archive-date = 18 January 2008 | title = The History Boys: More is more | access-date =17 October 2006 }} He originally auditioned for the role of Crowther but agreed to act the part of Rudge after Bennett promised to beef up the role. Insecure because he had not attended drama school as many of his peers had, he enrolled in numerous workshops and readings offered by the National Theatre.

In spring 2007, Tovey had a recurring role in BBC Three comedy Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, playing Rob's producer, Ben. He played Midshipman Alonso Frame, in 2007 Doctor Who Christmas Special "Voyage of the Damned". Russell T. Davies, the show's executive producer and lead writer, had suggested Tovey as a future replacement for David Tennant,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7618537.stm |title=Davies suggests next Doctor Who |work=BBC News |date=16 September 2008 |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-date=20 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920132715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7618537.stm |url-status=live }} before it was announced that the Eleventh Doctor would be played by Matt Smith. Tovey reprised his role as Midshipman Alonso Frame in the 2009-10 Doctor Who Christmas special, "The End of Time".

Tovey played werewolf George Sands, one of three supernatural housemates in the drama Being Human.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/feb/13/being-human-bbc3|title=Daniel Martin looks at how online fans rescued BBC3's Being Human|last=Martin|first=Daniel|date=13 February 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 October 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=1 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194800/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2009/feb/13/being-human-bbc3|url-status=live}} The pilot premiered on BBC Three on 18 February 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/11_november/06/human.shtml |title=BBC Three presents Being Human |date=6 November 2007 |work=BBC Three |location=UK |access-date=5 February 2008 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126013324/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/11_november/06/human.shtml |url-status=live }} A six-part series was commissioned with the first episode broadcast on 25 January 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/04_april/24/human.shtml |title=Being Human commissioned for BBC Three |work=BBC Three |location=UK |date=24 April 2008 |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126024031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/04_april/24/human.shtml |url-status=live }} Tovey left the regular cast of the show at the start of the fourth season on 5 February 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/16907718 |title=Being Human death was 'horrendous' says Crichlow |date=6 February 2012 |access-date=6 February 2012 |archive-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311082134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/16907718 |url-status=live }} In November 2012 AudioGO Ltd released an audiobook version of Mark Michalowski's Being Human tie-in novel Chasers, which is narrated by Tovey.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Being-Human-Chasers-Unabridged/dp/B00A32DQGA |title=Being Human: Chasers (Unabridged) |website=Amazon UK |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619154318/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Being-Human-Chasers-Unabridged/dp/B00A32DQGA |url-status=live }}

In a 2008 interview in Attitude, Tovey expressed his desire to play darker roles: "really dark, fucked-up characters... like drag queens, rent boys, someone who has been abused, a rapist", though noting that he does not consider himself "fucked-up".{{Cite news |periodical=Attitude |issn=1353-1875 |date=January 2008 |title=About a Boy }}, cited in [http://www.afterelton.com/node/12883 UK actor Russell Tovey – Talented, gorgeous, and gay to boot!!!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506004226/http://www.afterelton.com/node/12883 |date=6 May 2009 }}, After Elton, 14 January 2008

In March 2009, the actor played a leading role in A Miracle at the Royal Court Theatre as Gary Trudgill, a British soldier returning to Norfolk from abroad.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/mar/05/miracle-review-royal-court-london |title=Theatre review: A Miracle / Royal Court, London |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=5 March 2009 |access-date=12 March 2009 |first=Michael |last=Billington |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829203015/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/mar/05/miracle-review-royal-court-london |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whatson01.asp?play=540 |title=A Miracle |publisher=Royal Court Theatre |access-date=12 March 2009 |date=March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909153150/http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whatson01.asp?play=540 |archive-date=9 September 2012}} On 8 March 2009 he presented the Award for Best Actress to Margaret Tyzack for her performance in The Chalk Garden at the Laurence Olivier Awards in Grosvenor House.{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821236605695 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616100448/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821236605695 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2011 |title=Olivier Goss: What We Heard in the Ballroom??? |work=What's on Stage |date=8 March 2009 |access-date=12 March 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item104631/Tyzack-and-Jacobi-scoop-top-honours/ |title=Tyzack and Jacobi scoop top honours |work=Official London Theatre |date=8 March 2009 |access-date=12 March 2009 |archive-date=21 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221224631/http://officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item104631/Tyzack-and-Jacobi-scoop-top-honours/ |url-status=live }}

In 2009, Tovey worked on the film Huge[http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/uk-ireland/uk-comedy-huge-starts-shooting-in-london/5002516.article UK comedy Huge starts shooting in London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208224036/http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/uk-ireland/uk-comedy-huge-starts-shooting-in-london/5002516.article |date=8 December 2019 }}, Screen Daily, 17 June 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009 and starred in two television pilots: Young, Unemployed and Lazy (a BBC Three sitcom),{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/may/12/bbc-russell-tovey-bedroom-comedy |title=Russell Tovey to star in BBC3 sitcom that never leaves the bedroom |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=12 May 2009 |first=Leigh |last=Holmwood |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194757/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/may/12/bbc-russell-tovey-bedroom-comedy |url-status=live }} renamed to Him & Her{{cite web |title=Him & Her |url=http://www.him-and-her.com/ |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=20 June 2010 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207074840/http://him-and-her.com/ |url-status=live }} in 2010, and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (part of Comedy Showcase), a Channel 4 comedy with Spike Jonze and Will Arnett, written by David Cross and Shaun Pye.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/spike-jonze-to-star-in-c4-comedy/5001616.article |title=Spike Jonze to star in C4 comedy |work=Broadcast Now |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=29 May 2009 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205211913/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/spike-jonze-to-star-in-c4-comedy/5001616.article |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/comedy-showcase/episode-guide/series-9/episode-1 |title=Comedy Showcase |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=27 November 2009 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234056/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/comedy-showcase/episode-guide/series-9/episode-1 |url-status=live }}

He also appeared in shorts:

• Drop{{cite web |url=http://www.beautifultrain.com/ |title=Film Production |publisher=Beautiful Train Ltd |access-date=19 May 2009 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130101207/https://beautifultrain.com/ |url-status=live }}, which premièred at the 2009 Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival)
• Roar, which premiered at the Palm Springs Film Festival on 24 June 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.psfilmfest.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=21041&fid=39 |title=On the Job Program |publisher=Palm Springs Film Festival |access-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802212658/http://www.psfilmfest.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=21041&FID=39 |archive-date=2 August 2010}}

In 2011, he became the voice over/narrator for the BBC Three show Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents and its spinoffs, which ran for five series up to July 2015. Tovey narrated every episode aired.

Tovey played Budgie, one of Gavin's friends, in the BBC comedy-drama Gavin & Stacey. In January 2012, he appeared in the British crime drama Sherlock, playing Henry Knight in the episode "The Hounds of Baskerville". He had a lead role in the ITV sitcom The Job Lot which aired in 2013 and is set in a busy unemployment bureau in the West Midlands.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-actor-russell-tovey-star-new-itv-sitcom260412|title=Russell Tovey to star in new ITV sitcom|last=Reid-Smith|first=Tris|date=26 April 2012|access-date=26 April 2012|archive-date=27 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427230342/http://gaystarnews.com/article/gay-actor-russell-tovey-star-new-itv-sitcom260412|url-status=dead}}

In 2013, Tovey signed on to appear in the American television series Looking, about a group of gay friends living in San Francisco.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/russell-tovey-joins-gay-themed-617683|title=Russell Tovey Joins Gay-Themed HBO Dramedy 'Looking' (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=13 October 2017|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165444/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/russell-tovey-joins-gay-themed-617683|url-status=live}} Its 8-episode first season broadcast on HBO in 2014. Tovey was promoted to series regular for the second season.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/looking-renewed-season-2-hbo-689085/|title=HBO Dramedy 'Looking' Renewed For Second Season, Trio Promoted To Regular|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=26 February 2014|work=Deadline|access-date=13 October 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=13 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013175830/http://deadline.com/2014/02/looking-renewed-season-2-hbo-689085/|url-status=live}}

In 2015, Tovey starred in Banished, a historical drama series written by Jimmy McGovern about a group of British convicts in Australia in the 18th century.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/12/jimmy-mcgovern-russell-tovey-banished-bbc-drama|title=Jimmy McGovern announces Australian convict drama Banished|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|website=The Guardian|date=12 March 2014|access-date=12 March 2014|archive-date=1 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194801/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/12/jimmy-mcgovern-russell-tovey-banished-bbc-drama|url-status=live}}

Also in 2015, Tovey made his first of many live appearances for arts and entertainment company Pin Drop Studio, reading a short story to an audience followed by an interview by Simon Oldfield.

In 2016, Tovey was cast in the ABC network thriller drama Quantico for the series regular role of Harry Doyle.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/quantico-russell-tovey-season-2-899300|title='Quantico' Enlists 'Looking' Grad Russell Tovey as Season 2 Regular (Exclusive)|last=Stanhope|first=Kate|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=3 June 2016|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604114016/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/quantico-russell-tovey-season-2-899300|url-status=live}}

In April 2017, Tovey returned to the Royal National Theatre to appear in Marianne Elliot's revival of the Tony Kushner play Angels in America, opposite Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane.{{cite web |last1=Crompton |first1=Sarah |title=Review: Angels in America (National Theatre) |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/angels-in-america-national-theatre_43519.html |website=WhatsOnStage |access-date=31 December 2022 |year=2017 |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231105231/https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/angels-in-america-national-theatre_43519.html |url-status=live }}

In September 2017, it was revealed that Tovey would be voicing Ray Terrill / The Ray, a reporter who gains light-based powers after being exposed to a genetic light bomb, in the animated web series Freedom Fighters: The Ray on CW Seed. Tovey appeared in "Crisis on Earth-X", the Arrowverse crossover event between Supergirl, Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/09/22/russell-tovey-the-ray-arrow-crossover-cast-gay/|title=Arrowverse Crossover: Quantico's Russell Tovey Cast as Gay Superhero|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|publisher=TVLine|date=22 September 2017|access-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225820/http://tvline.com/2017/09/22/russell-tovey-the-ray-arrow-crossover-cast-gay/|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/22/arrow-the-flash-supergirl-legends-unite-for-crisis-on-earth-x-crossover/|title=Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends unite for 'Crisis on Earth X' crossover|last=Agard|first=Chancellor|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=22 September 2017|access-date=22 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923002507/http://ew.com/tv/2017/09/22/arrow-the-flash-supergirl-legends-unite-for-crisis-on-earth-x-crossover/|archive-date=23 September 2017|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Tovey co-starred in an ensemble cast on the show Years and Years, and appeared with Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in the drama film The Good Liar.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/russell-tovey-jim-carter-confirmed-bill-condons-the-good-liar-1202747383/|title=Russell Tovey, Jim Carter Confirmed For Bill Condon's 'The Good Liar'|last=Mitchell|first=Robert|work=Variety|date=9 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714170337/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/russell-tovey-jim-carter-confirmed-bill-condons-the-good-liar-1202747383/|url-status=live}}

Tovey was awarded the Culture Award at the ninth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/2020-virgin-altantic-attitude-awards-powered-by-jaguar-winners-from-taylor-swift-to-luke-evans/24104/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201202083401/https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/2020-virgin-altantic-attitude-awards-powered-by-jaguar-winners-from-taylor-swift-to-luke-evans/24104/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2020|title=2020 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards: From Taylor Swift to Luke Evans|work=Attitude|publisher=Stream Publishing Limited|date=1 December 2020|access-date=2 December 2020}}

It was announced in 2021 that Tovey had been cast in Allelujah, a film adaptation of Alan Bennett's play of the same name.{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/2021/film/news/bfi-london-film-festival-2021-audience-numbers-1235096680/.article|title = Crowds Throng U.K.-Wide BFI London Film Festival – Global Bulletin|date = 25 October 2021|access-date = 19 January 2022|archive-date = 9 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211209212955/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/bfi-london-film-festival-2021-audience-numbers-1235096680/.article|url-status = live}}

The following year, in 2022, Tovey started a role as Patrick Read in American Horror Story: NYC.

In 2024, Tovey starred as John O'Shea, Truman Capote's on-again-off-again lover, in FX's anthology series Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.{{Cite web |last=Betancourt |first=Manuel |date=16 February 2024 |title=Feud's Russell Tovey on What It Takes to Play a Baddie |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/russell-tovey-feud-capote-vs-the-swans-interview.html |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Vulture |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228205136/https://www.vulture.com/article/russell-tovey-feud-capote-vs-the-swans-interview.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=2 February 2024 |title=The True Story and People Behind Feud: Capote vs. The Swans |url=https://time.com/6590540/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-true-story/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228205137/https://time.com/6590540/feud-capote-vs-the-swans-true-story/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Russell Tovey as John O'Shea in FEUD on FX |url=https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/feud/capote-vs-the-swans/cast/russell-tovey-john-oshea |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=FX |language=en |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194753/https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/feud/capote-vs-the-swans/cast/russell-tovey-john-oshea |url-status=live }}

In July 2024, it was announced that Tovey will return to the Doctor Who universe as a new character in the spin-off series The War Between the Land and the Sea.{{Cite web | url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/new-whoniverse-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-announced-at-san | title=New Whoniverse Spin-Off 'The War Between The Land And The Sea' announced at San Diego Comic-Con | date=2024-06-26 | website=www.doctorwho.tv | access-date=26 July 2024 | archive-date=27 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727010828/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/new-whoniverse-spin-off-the-war-between-the-land-and-the-sea-announced-at-san | url-status=live }}

Tovey is also an author, playwright and screenwriter. He has written three plays (all unperformed as of August 2010), and one of his short stories was published in women's magazine Company. He also wrote a short film, Victor, and as of August 2010 was seeking funding to produce the picture.

In 2021, he published, with his friend Robert Diament, the book Talk Art.{{Cite web|last=Diament|first=Tovey, Russell & Robert|title=Talk Art: Everything You Wanted To Know About Contemporary Art but Were Afraid To Ask|url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/talk-art-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-contemporary-art-but-were-afraid-to-ask-2121408|access-date=23 February 2022|website=Library Journal|archive-date=1 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194802/https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/talk-art-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-contemporary-art-but-were-afraid-to-ask-2121408|url-status=live}}

Tovey presents the podcast Talk Art alongside Robert Diament. The podcast is about the contemporary art world featuring interviews with artists such as Marina Abramović, Roberta Smith, and Ai Weiwei.{{Cite web |last=Talk Art on acast |title=Talk Art on acast |date=19 October 2018 |url=https://play.acast.com/s/talkart |access-date=29 February 2024 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229124228/https://play.acast.com/s/talkart |url-status=live }}

Russel Tovey appeared as a guest judge on Season 3, Episode 8 of the hit TV show, RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Tovey collects contemporary art, which he got into at the age of 21 when his parents bought him a Tracey Emin print that he admired, called Dog Brains.{{Cite web|date=11 October 2016|title=Actor Russell Tovey Takes Us Inside his Art Collection|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/russell-tovey-art-collection-666215|access-date=24 March 2021|website=Artnet News|language=en-US|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226195037/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/russell-tovey-art-collection-666215|url-status=live}} Aside from several works by Emin, his collection now also includes works by Wolfgang Tillmans, Jamian Juliano Villani, Shannon Ebner, Rebecca Warren, Joyce Pensato, Amoako Boafo, Walter Price, Louis Fratino, Doron Langberg, Carmen Herrera, Rose Wylie, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Lisa Brice and Matias Faldbakken among others.{{Cite web|last=Adam|first=Georgina|date=13 June 2020|title=Russell Tovey: 'Art has become a huge part of my life'|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a7733450-a65f-11ea-a27c-b8aa85e36b7e|access-date=24 March 2021|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227003754/https://www.ft.com/content/a7733450-a65f-11ea-a27c-b8aa85e36b7e|url-status=live}} Although he has been buying art since he was in his 20s, he considers himself to have been "properly collecting" since about 2010, with his collection now consisting of over 300 works of art. Tovey is passionate about supporting emerging and mid-career artists with his collecting.{{Cite web|title=Actor/ Collector Russell Tovey To Guest Curate Margate Now Arts Festival|url=https://www.artlyst.com/news/actor-collector-russell-tovey-guest-curate-margate-now-arts-festival/|access-date=24 March 2021|website=Artlyst|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128055030/https://www.artlyst.com/news/actor-collector-russell-tovey-guest-curate-margate-now-arts-festival/|url-status=live}}

Since 2018, Tovey has hosted a podcast called Talk Art with his friend, the gallerist Robert Diament of Carl Freedman gallery, in which the pair talk to their favourite artists, curators and art enthusiasts.{{Cite news|last=Felder|first=Rachel|date=19 February 2020|title=There Are No Pictures, but This Art Podcast Is Thriving|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/arts/design/talk-art-russell-tovey.html|access-date=24 March 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160254/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/arts/design/talk-art-russell-tovey.html|url-status=live}} In the over 120 episodes, guests have included Ryan Gander, Judy Chicago, Roberta Smith, Ai Weiwei, Marina Abromovic, Rose Wylie, Anthony Cudahy and Ian Lewandowski, Zawe Ashton, Jenna Gribbon, Math Bass, Oscar yi Hou, Doron Langberg, Sharon Stone, Gus Van Sant, Nash Glynn, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and many more.{{Cite news|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda|date=22 September 2019|title=Russell Tovey: 'Art is for everyone. It will change you, it will outlive you'|language=en-GB|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/22/russell-tovey-art-is-for-everyone-margate-festival-turner-prize|access-date=24 March 2021|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=1 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194800/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/22/russell-tovey-art-is-for-everyone-margate-festival-turner-prize|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Tovey guest curated Margate Now, an arts festival based in Margate. He has since curated a number of exhibitions for various galleries, as well as a contemporary art auction for Sotheby's.{{Cite web |title=Navot Miller: Coming Back Homo curated by Russell Tovey: July 7 – July 28, 2022 |url=http://www.1969gallery.com/navot-miller-coming-back-homo |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=1969 Gallery |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126010223/http://www.1969gallery.com/navot-miller-coming-back-homo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Breakfast Under The Tree curated by Russell Tovey by Lenz Geerk, Charmaine Watkiss, Sola Olulode, Caroline Coon, Benjamin Senior, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Salman Toor, Jeffry Mitchell, Cheyenne Julien, Rosie Hastings, Lindsey Mendick, Cassi Namoda at Carl Freedman Gallery - Artland |url=https://www.artland.com/exhibitions/breakfast-under-the-tree-curated-by-russell-tovey |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=artland.com |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126010232/https://www.artland.com/exhibitions/breakfast-under-the-tree-curated-by-russell-tovey |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sabrina {{!}} 19 November - 17 December 2022 |url=https://www.sim-smith.com/exhibitions/36-sabrina-gillian-ayres-tracey-emin-pam-evelyn-caroline-jackson/press_release_text/ |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Sim Smith |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126010223/https://www.sim-smith.com/exhibitions/36-sabrina-gillian-ayres-tracey-emin-pam-evelyn-caroline-jackson/press_release_text/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kinsella |first=Eileen |date=14 April 2021 |title=Celeb Podcaster Russell Tovey's Sotheby's Sale Generates $8.5 Million—and Fierce Competition for Young Stars |url=https://news.artnet.com/market/sothebys-contemporary-curated-sale-russell-tovey-1959086 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126010222/https://news.artnet.com/market/sothebys-contemporary-curated-sale-russell-tovey-1959086 |url-status=live }}

Tovey was part of the jury of the 2021 Turner Prize.{{Cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Actor Russell Tovey to judge 2021 Turner Prize |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/10/21/actor-russell-tovey-to-judge-2021-turner-prize |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events |archive-date=1 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194753/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/10/21/actor-russell-tovey-to-judge-2021-turner-prize |url-status=live }}

Tovey was appointed the 2022 patron for the Art UK charity.{{cite web |title=Patron |url=https://artuk.org/about/patron |website=Art UK |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194508/https://artuk.org/about/patron |url-status=live }}

Tovey is gay. During his adolescent years, his family had difficulty accepting his sexual orientation. Although he says he came out to himself when he was 15 or 16, he came out to his parents when he was 18. Tovey and his father subsequently had a serious disagreement, with his father suggesting that, had he known earlier, he would have asked Tovey to take hormones or undergo some other medical treatment to "fix the problem". Tovey says his parents were deeply concerned about the possibility he might contract HIV, which might have contributed to the disagreement. The birth of Tovey's nephew Nathan in October 2004 helped them mend their relationship.

In 2015, Tovey was the subject of public criticism from the LGBT+ press regarding comments he made about effeminate gay men. In his interview with Tom Lamont of The Observer the actor stated that his schooling made him feel as though he "had to toughen up", going on to say "If I'd have been able to relax, prance around and sing in the street, I might be a different person now."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/01/russell-tovey-looking-banished-interview|title=Russell Tovey: 'I was a scared, skinny little rat. Then I hit the gym...'|last=Lamont|first=Tom|date=1 March 2015|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=11 August 2018|archive-date=8 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108021501/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/01/russell-tovey-looking-banished-interview|url-status=live}} Much of the criticism centred on what was perceived to be a passive criticism of effeminate gay men, with Tovey saying that "I thank my dad for that, for not allowing me to go down the path." Tovey later apologised for the remarks and suggested they did not reflect his views.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/03/russell-tovey-sorry-effeminate-actor-drama-school|title=Russell Tovey says sorry for effeminate actor comments|last=Weaver|first=Matthew|website=The Guardian|date=3 March 2015|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315062045/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/03/russell-tovey-sorry-effeminate-actor-drama-school|url-status=live}}

Tovey has read several books for audio, notably a 2017 performance of The Picture of Dorian Gray. He is the narrator for the 20th anniversary edition audiobook of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, released in 2015. Also, since 2016, he is the reader for audiobooks of Liz Pichon's Tom Gates book series, starting from book 10, Super Good Skills (Almost...), taking over from Rupert Grint.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Russell Tovey}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170801125949/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb1a54330 Russell Tovey] at the British Film Institute
• {{IMDb name}}
• {{IBDB name}}
• {{Twitter}}
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/arts/television/freedom-fighters-the-ray-russell-tovey-cw-seed.html Interview] with The New York Times

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tovey, Russell}}

Category:1981 births

Category:20th-century English LGBTQ people

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Actors from Billericay

Category:English dramatists and playwrights

Category:English gay actors

Category:English male dramatists and playwrights

Category:English male film actors

Category:English male radio actors

Category:English male Shakespearean actors

Category:English male stage actors

Category:English male television actors

Category:English male voice actors

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Essex

Category:Writers from Essex