Russell T Davies, the celebrated creator of It's a Sin and Queer as Folk, has described his upcoming thriller Tip Toe as a 'twisty, edge-of-seat story' in an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with BBC News.
The six-part series, currently filming in and around Manchester, marks Davies' return to pure thriller territory for the first time in over a decade. 'I wanted to write something that keeps people guessing until the very last frame,' Davies told BBC News on set. The show follows a family whose lives are shattered by a series of unexplained events, leading to a web of secrets and lies.
“Russell T Davies exclusive: new BBC thriller Tip Toe filming in Manchester promises 'twisty, edge-of-seat story' set for late 2025.”
Davies, who recently revitalised Doctor Who for a new generation, said Tip Toe draws on his love of classic paranoid thrillers from the 1970s. The production is being made by Bad Wolf, the same company behind His Dark Materials and Industry. Casting details remain under wraps, but Davies confirmed the ensemble includes both established stars and fresh faces.
The series is set to air on BBC One and iPlayer in late 2025. Filming is taking place across Greater Manchester, including Salford and Bolton, with location scouts praising the region's 'brutalist architecture and suburban anonymity'. This continues the BBC's investment in northern production hubs following the success of shows like Happy Valley and The Responder.
'Manchester has this incredible grit and glamour side by side,' Davies said. 'It's perfect for a story about a family hiding in plain sight.' The production is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the local area, with dozens of crew jobs and a boost to hospitality and transport services.
Davies described the challenge of writing a thriller without supernatural elements. 'Every twist has to be earned by character and plot, not magic,' he explained. The writer collaborated with criminologists to ensure the police procedures feel authentic. 'We wanted the audience to feel like they could solve the mystery alongside the detectives.'
The BBC has scheduled Tip Toe as a flagship drama for 2025, with Davies already outlining a potential second series. 'There's a world beyond episode six, but let's see if anyone wants it first,' he joked.
What This Means For You - Viewers can expect a high-stakes, character-driven thriller airing on BBC One and iPlayer in late 2025. - The series will showcase Greater Manchester locations, potentially boosting local tourism and filming industry. - Fans of Davies' work will see a return to his darker, suspense-driven storytelling seen in shows like The Second Coming. - With no supernatural elements, the drama appeals to audiences who enjoy realistic, psychological mysteries.