Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey is an award-winning actor. 

He has just completed filming Russell T Davies, The War Between the Land and Sea, a Doctor Who spin-off in which he stars alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Disney+. Most recently, Russell starred as John O’Shea in Ryan Murphy’s Feud. He can also be seen in the eleventh season of Ryan Murphy’s FX horror anthology American Horror Story: NYC, playing the leading role of Patrick Read. He also stars in the BBC drama series Juice alongside Mawaan Rizwan.  

 In 2020, Russell was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the critically acclaimed BBC/HBO drama Years and Years, by Russell T. Davies alongside Emma Thompson and Jessica Hynes.  

Russell will next be seen as a leading role in Independent film Plainclothes opposite Tom Blythe which is in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Sundance Film festival. He also had a standout role in Bill Condon’s The Good Liar for Warner Bros., opposite Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren. 

Other notable film and television credits include Love Again (2023); Allelujah (2022); Grabbers (2012); Blackwood (2014); The Lady in the Van (2015); Mindhorn (2016); The Pass (2016); Hymn of Hate (2018); Pride (2014); The Sea (2019); The Sister (2020); Flesh and Blood (2020); Him and Her (2010-2013); Starstruck (2022); Doctor Who (2007-2010); Little Dorrit (2008); Ashes to Ashes (2008); Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive (2007); Sherlock (2012); Looking (2016); The Night Manager (2016); What Remains (2013); The Job Lot (2013-2015); Quantico (2016-2018). 

On stage, Russell gained widespread recognition for his role as Rudge in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, both at the National Theatre and on Broadway, later reprising the part in the 2006 film adaptation directed by Nicholas Hytner. In 2017, he earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Joseph Pitt in Angels in America at the National Theatre, which later transferred to Broadway. 

Beyond acting, Russell is a passionate art collector and co-hosts the popular art podcast Talk Art with his friend and gallerist Robert Diament. Together, they aim to make art more accessible by interviewing leading artists, curators, celebrities, and gallerists about their shared passion.