It was hailed as a ‘big first’ by their followers
Film star Alan Cumming was spotted filming a new drama in Manchester(Image: MEN)
A Hollywood icon of the stage and screen has been seen filming scenes for an upcoming new TV series in Manchester – saying it has led to them having their ‘first ever’ visit to the Gay Village.
Known for his roles in films like X-Men 2 and Eyes Wide Shut, as well as his Tony Award-winning portrayal of The Emcee in Broadway’s Cabaret, Scottish actor Alan Cumming has had a rich and varied career since making his on-screen debut with Granada TV’s 1984 series Travelling Man.
Alan, who won a Creative Arts Emmy at the weekend for his hosting role on The Traitors USA, was recently announced to be leading the cast of Russell T Davies’ upcoming Channel 4 series Tip Toe alongside David Morrissey.
The pair will take on the role of Manchester neighbours who have lived next door to one another for nearly 15 years. With a world growing intense, the show has been described as ‘an urgent tale that brings a spotlight to bear on the prejudices which are creeping back into our lives’.
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Alan Cumming will star alongside David Morrissey in the upcoming Russell T Davies production for Channel 4(Image: MEN)
Screenwriter Russell, who is behind shows like Doctor Who, Queer as Folk and It’s A Sin, has described the upcoming five-part series as a ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever written’, and will also co-star the likes of Denise Welch, Charlie Condou, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo.
Filming began on the series earlier this week with Russell proclaiming it was ‘my honour to combine my old home, Channel 4, with my second home, Canal Street’.
Alan, 60, was pictured outside The Molly House pub, on Richmond Street, during a break in filming of the new series, in which will take on the role of Leo, who is the owner of fictional Gay Village bar Spit & Polish.
Sporting a moustache and a navy coat, the star was seen walking past the pub’s wall-length mural of Manchester queer and LGBTQ+ icons – which is 40 metres high and nine metres wide – including faces of the likes of Anna Phylactic, Foo Foo Lammar, Emmeline Pankhurst, and Alan Turing.
Filming on Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe has begun in Canal Street with Alan Cumming(Image: Instagram: @alancummingreally)
Alan also shared an Instagram post about his visit to Canal Street, which he admitted he had never managed to explore before until now. Telling his 747k followers on Wednesday (September 10), Alan posted: “First day of filming on Tip Toe and my first time ever on Canal Street in Manchester!”
The news was met with a big response from his followers online. One person responded: “Now that’s a big first!”. Russell commented: “You’ve come home!”
The show will also feature Manchester drag queen Jackie Love, who regularly performs at Gay Village venues like Bar Pop and The Church. They will play the role of Miss Dixie, and were pictured posing for a photo with Russell and producer Phil Collinson on Instagram. Jackie responded: “What a fab day, so many laughs and giggles. Xx”.
Russell T Davies shared a photo with Jackie Love (L) and producer Phil Collinson (C)(Image: Instagram: @russelltdavies63)
Tip Toe will be produced by Manchester-based studio Quay Street Productions, who have previously worked on shows including After The Flood and The Stolen Girl.
Previously speaking about his involvement in the show, Alan said: “The best things in life are worth waiting for, and the best people. Russell T Davies and I have been trying to work together for over 20 years.
“Now, not only are we working together but doing so with one of my dearest, oldest friends, Dave Morrissey, and in a piece of work I think is so brilliant and prescient and necessary. I don’t say this lightly, but this is truly an honour.”
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