Russell Tovey Raves About Tom Blyth’s Stardust Charm in Upcoming Indie Film and Doctor Who Spin-Off!

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Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth, the stars of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds” didn’t need much time to forge a bond. They initially crossed paths over Zoom before shooting Carmen Emmi’s indie drama “Plainclothes.

Tovey expresses on this week’s ‘Just for EbMaster’ podcast: ‘I instantly knew he was the genuine article.’ Being British ourselves, and both involved in our respective careers, I felt captivated and eager to collaborate with him. He is a true actor, deeply invested in independent film. His commitment to honesty and authenticity in storytelling aligns perfectly with my own values. The bond between these characters and their chemistry are crucial for the success of this narrative.”

“On the ‘Just for EbMaster’ podcast this week, Tovey says: ‘I immediately sensed he was the real deal.’ As fellow Brits, we both have our careers underway. I was charmed and excited to work with him because he is a genuine actor who has a strong passion for independent film. He values honesty and authenticity in storytelling, which resonates with me. The connection between these characters and their chemistry are essential to the success of this story.

In the story, there are two characters: one is Lucas (Blyth), a covert police officer active in 1990s Syracuse, New York, tasked with a decoy operation aimed at apprehending men engaging in cruising activities in a shopping mall restroom. The other character is Andrew (Tovey), the individual Lucas encounters during this operation and who eventually captures Lucas’ affection.

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Tovey describes Blyth as “brimming with star quality.” He’s deeply dedicated, exceptional in his role, and a fantastic team player. When I arrived, everyone on the crew adored Tom. So I decided to match that love and tried to win them over too, laughing as I said, “You’re going to like me just as much.” We both put our best charming selves forward.

Prior to the January 26th unveiling of “Plainclothes” at the Sundance Film Festival, I had a fascinating chat with its lead actor, Tovey. This discussion has been condensed and clarified for your convenience. You can tune into the “Just for EbMaster” podcast to hear our conversation in its entirety.

Tell me about the script coming to you. How did it come about for you?

Carmen mentioned that while composing this script, he had previously watched “Looking,” but had also attended a Broadway performance of “Angels in America” and later re-watched the National Theatre live version. Additionally, he saw me portray Joe Pitt, which significantly influenced him during the time when he was writing the character Andrew. He admitted that at this point, my face was vividly present in his mind’s eye while creating the character of Andrew.

Why is this an important story to tell?

In my opinion, this movie captures a significant era in history exceptionally well. What truly stands out about it is the sense of duty that Andrew exhibits towards Lucas, which he expresses through their conversations about San Francisco and protection. This bond between them transcends traditional boundaries, encompassing an intergenerational, even sexual connection. I believe this dynamic is quite moving because it highlights Andrew’s sense of responsibility towards Lucas.

The film is essentially Lucas’s journey of maturation. He encounters someone like Andrew, who undeniably has complexities, but he also finds a person who is generous and open-minded, almost like a mentor from the queer community, passing on wisdom to him. Despite the intricacies and Andrew’s controlled nature, this narrative felt fresh and unique to me.

On a personal level, as I reach 43, I find myself having conversations with younger generations about the significance of remembering our past, sharing our stories, and understanding inherited trauma. This film seems particularly relevant to these discussions because it showcases the values we uphold as a community, reminding us of what we might lose if we don’t preserve these narratives.

What do you like about Andrew?

I admire Andrew’s tranquility. What drew me to him was his genuine self-assuredness in the world he’s constructed for himself. He’s quite reserved. He has set numerous rules for himself and follows them diligently, and this situation is testing those rules. This scenario is causing a significant emotional turmoil for both of them, which reminds me of playing Joe Pitt in “Angels in America.” Like Joe Pitt, Andrew seems to be a deeply troubled character who carefully controls his emotions and actions, hiding his inner fears. I believe that there are clear similarities between Andrew’s character and Joe Pitt, as they both appear to be highly guarded individuals due to their closeted nature. However, I am attracted to these complex characters because I want the audience to empathize with them rather than perceive them negatively or judge them harshly, recognizing instead that they are merely products of societal influences.

Why are you drawn to troubled souls?

As an actor, isn’t it our goal to embody the complexities and emotional struggles of our characters? After all, we each have our own personal challenges to navigate. The opportunity to confront and overcome these difficulties through a character is truly a gift. As actors, we draw from our personal experiences to bring depth to our roles. With age, I find that more demanding roles provide a greater sense of fulfillment, as they allow me to explore and better understand aspects of myself. Acting, for me, has become a means of self-discovery, a journey toward increased vulnerability on screen. As I continue to grow as an actor, I strive to expose even more of my own vulnerabilities, viewing this as the greatest act of generosity we can offer as performers.

Could you share your experience with the “Doctor Who” spin-off, “The War Between the Land and the Sea”? Was it enjoyable for you to work on that project?

Working on this job has been one of the most delightful experiences I’ve encountered. Each day was simply remarkable, and I take great pleasure in the role I embody. I admire my fellow actors and crew members immensely. As performers, we have a significant responsibility – not only to our roles and scripts, but also to maintain kindness, honesty, and vulnerability on set. With each new project, I make it a point to ensure that I am kind whenever I step onto the set, as this is all I can offer.

In this particular production, I held the leading role from day one, and I made it clear that being kind was not a struggle for me. I’ve learned that being a good leader and team player, and exhibiting kindness on set, creates positive ripples throughout the entire production. On the other hand, working with individuals who may not be as generous with their kindness or positive energy can result in an uncomfortable, unsatisfying, and sometimes upsetting environment. This can make it challenging to be vulnerable, which in turn can cause anxiety.

However, this project was exceptional. Russell T Davies is a fantastic individual because he takes the time to review the daily footage, text everyone involved – from the head of apartments to all actors – praising their performances and offering personalized compliments. He ensures that his messages are unique to avoid repetition, which helps motivate the cast and crew.

Essentially, the person in charge is actively engaged, supportive, and appreciative, making this a truly inspiring production.

What should the diehard “Doctor Who” fans know about this show?

For dedicated “Doctor Who” enthusiasts, here’s something interesting: The storyline of these unique creatures has been featured in “Doctor Who” episodes, possibly back in the ’60s, but this is a modern take on it. You’ll notice members of UNIT included in the plot. Jemma Redgrave delivers an exceptional performance, reprising her role as [Kate Lethbridge-Stewart]. Her character has been developed to new heights. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is remarkable, donning prosthetics for the role. I can’t fathom how she manages it. This production seems to cater perfectly to the “Doctor Who” audience, while still offering a refreshingly unique feel. The director, Dylan Holmes Williams, has given it an indie film vibe, aiming for a gritty, dynamic, and independent feel, which was enthusiastically accepted by the crew.

Are you in prosthetics also?

No.

Did you want to be?

Negative, I’ve declined the opportunity to return to wearing prosthetics, as I spent numerous years portraying George the werewolf and the process involved waking up at 3 a.m., donning latex, and running through forests – a situation that might sound appealing as a fetish, but it wasn’t. Over time, it became monotonous, and I reached a point where I felt, “Enough is enough.” Consequently, I’m in no hurry to get back into wearing prosthetics.

You don’t have fun with them? You don’t have fun running around in the woods.

No, as it’s perpetually winter here, I’d invariably be without a stitch on and darting about. This could potentially lead to an awkward encounter with someone walking their pet dog, with me passing by in a state of panic.

That sounds like a fetish, Russell.

I don’t have any unusual preferences; I’m quite ordinary in that sense. What you suggested isn’t appealing to me at all, and after trying it once, I have no intention of doing it again. It’s just not something that interests me, so it’s definitely not a desire or a turn-on for me.

Is there a genre that you’re dying to do that you haven’t done yet?

Indeed, that’s an intriguing query! You see, I used to adore the novel “Little Dorrit” in the past. I have always been fond of period dramas that embody the spirit of Charles Dickens.

It’s your fetish.

This will be my first time creating a costume inspired by Dickensian London, specifically for cosplay purposes. I’m quite fond of this style, and I’d like to delve deeper into it as a genre. The idea of an independent film that revolves around a Dickensian costume drama is intriguing to me. Does that make sense? I find the concept quite captivating. This wouldn’t be a large-scale production; it would more closely resemble the acting roles in a Mike Leigh film, similar to “Vera Drake.” Such a project would certainly be exhilarating, but I’m primarily interested in independent cinema. It’s here that truly unique, brilliant, impactful stories are being told, where art is being created, and the most compelling storytelling is being explored.

Do you want to direct?

At the present moment, I’m juggling numerous tasks. People might advise me to stick to what I know best, “Russell, just focus on your lane.” However, there might come a time when I agree to take on something new. I prefer not to rule it out completely.

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2025-01-25 22:50