---
name: "Russell Tovey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/russell-tovey"
fi1m_id: "russell-tovey"
imdb_id: "nm0869871"
tmdb_id: 55469
wikidata_id: "Q716998"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "14 November 1981"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-02T23:38:31.168901+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Russell Tovey

## Identity

Russell Tovey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/russell-tovey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** russell-tovey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0869871
- **TMDB ID:** 55469
- **Wikidata ID:** Q716998
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Tovey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716998, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0869871/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55469

Actor. Born 14 November 1981 in Billericay, Essex, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 14 November 1981, Billericay, Essex, England, UK
- **Active:** 2006–present
- **Also known as:** Russell George Tovey, راسل تووی
- **Frequently works with:** [Alan Bennett](https://film.one/person/alan-bennett.md), [Damian Jones](https://film.one/person/damian-jones.md), [Kevin Loader](https://film.one/person/kevin-loader.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 74 (3), 2010s 76 (8), 2020s 64 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 71 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Comedy 6, Crime 3, Mystery 2, Adventure 1, Family 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $152m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Tovey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q716998, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0869871/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55469

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Him & Her*](https://film.one/tv/him-and-her.md) (84)
- **HBO Max:** [*Years and Years*](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md) (79)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Pass*](https://film.one/film/the-pass.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Russell Tovey is an English actor. Born on 14 November 1981 in Billericay, Essex, he began acting as a child and appeared in early television roles including episodes of Mud (1994) and The Bill (2001).

He gained recognition for his stage work, notably as Rudge in Alan Bennett's The History Boys at the National Theatre and on Broadway, a role he reprised in the 2006 film adaptation. On television, he is known for playing George Sands in Being Human (2008–2013), Steve in Him & Her (2010–2013), Kevin Matheson in Looking (2014–2016) and Henry Knight in Sherlock (2012).

His film credits include Tim in Pride (2014), Steven in The Good Liar (2019) and Colin Colman in Allelujah (2022). He has also voiced characters in animated films such as The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

- *Allelujah* (2023), Fi1m 50, as Colin Colman — [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md)
- *Starstruck* (2021), Fi1m 79, as Dave — [page](https://film.one/tv/starstruck.md)
- *Years and Years* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Daniel Lyons — [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *The Night Manager* (2016), Fi1m 81, as Simon Ogilvey — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-manager.md)
- *The Pass* (2016), Fi1m 72, as Jason — [page](https://film.one/film/the-pass.md)
- *The Lady in the Van* (2015), Fi1m 64, as Young Man with Earring — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lady-in-the-van.md)
- *Muppets Most Wanted* (2014), Fi1m 66, as Delivery Man — [page](https://film.one/film/muppets-most-wanted.md)
- *Pride* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Tim — [page](https://film.one/film/pride.md)
- *Him & Her* (2010), Fi1m 84, as Steve — [page](https://film.one/tv/him-and-her.md)
- *Sherlock* (2010), Fi1m 78, as Henry Knight — [page](https://film.one/tv/sherlock.md)
- *Little Dorrit* (2008), Fi1m 76, as John Chivery — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md)
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), Fi1m 80, as Budgie — [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *The History Boys* (2006), Fi1m 67, as Rudge — [page](https://film.one/film/the-history-boys.md)

## Complete filmography (102)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Queer Edward II* (2026), Executive Producer
- *I Am the Prize* (2026), Actor
- *The War Between the Land and the Sea* (2025), series, as Barclay Pierre-Dupont
- *The Cult of Americana* (2025), Actor
- *Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes* (2025), series, as DAC Brian Paddick
- *Plainclothes* (2025), as Andrew
- *Gavin & Stacey: The Finale* (2024), as Karl 'Budgie' Barratt
- *Life is Excellent* (2024), Actor
- *Pet Shop Boys: A New Bohemia* (2024), Actor
- *The Fortress* (2024), series, as Charlie Oldman
- *White Widow* (2023), as Charlie
- *Juice* (2023), series, as Guy
- *Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry* (2023), series, as Russell Tovey
- *Love Again* (2023), as Billy Brooks
- *Allelujah* (2023), as Colin Colman — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md)
- *Wayfinder* (2022), as Russell
- *AIDS: The Unheard Tapes* (2022), series, as Narrator
- *National Theatre Live: Constellations* (2021), as Roland
- *Starstruck* (2021), series, as Dave — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/starstruck.md)
- *The Picture of Dorian Gray* (2021), as Basil Hallward
- *The Sister* (2020), series, as Nathan
- *No Masks* (2020), Actor
- *Baby Lies Truthfully* (2020), Actor
- *Flesh and Blood* (2020), series, as Jake
- *It's Me* (2020), as Joe
- *The Good Liar* (2019), as Steven
- *Years and Years* (2019), series, as Daniel Lyons — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *The Sea* (2019), as David
- *Hymn of Hate* (2018), as Sergeant George May
- *Freedom Fighters: The Ray* (2018), as Ray Terrill / The Ray (voice)
- *Shane the Chef* (2018), series, Actor
- *Freedom Fighters: The Ray* (2017), series, as Ray Terrill / The Ray (voice)
- *Queers.* (2017), series, as Phil
- *National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part Two: Perestroika* (2017), as Joseph Pitt/Mormon Centre Father/The Angel Europa
- *National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part One: Millennium Approaches* (2017), as Joseph Pitt/Prior 1/The Eskimo
- *The Hippopotamus* (2017), as Rupert Keynes
- *FEUD* (2017), series, as John O'Shea
- *Mindhorn* (2016), as Paul Melly
- *Looking: The Movie* (2016), as Kevin Matheson
- *The Pass* (2016), as Jason — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-pass.md)
- *The Night Manager* (2016), series, as Simon Ogilvey — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-manager.md)
- *DC's Legends of Tomorrow* (2016), series, as Ray Terrill / The Ray
- *Red Top* (2016), as Andy Coulson
- *Stick Man* (2015), as Dog (voice)
- *The Lady in the Van* (2015), as Young Man with Earring — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lady-in-the-van.md)
- *Supergirl* (2015), series, as Ray Terrill / The Ray (uncredited)
- *Quantico* (2015), series, as Harry Doyle
- *Banished* (2015), series, as James Freeman
- *The Flash* (2014), series, as Ray Terrill / The Ray
- *Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain* (2014), as Squirt (Voice)
- *Pride* (2014), as Tim — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/pride.md)
- *Blackwood* (2014), as Jack
- *Muppets Most Wanted* (2014), as Delivery Man — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/muppets-most-wanted.md)
- *Effie Gray* (2014), as George
- *Looking* (2014), series, as Kevin Matheson
- *Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide* (2013), as Narrator (voice)
- *Talking to the Dead* (2013), series, as DS Huw Brydon
- *The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies* (2013), series, as Narrator
- *What Remains* (2013), series, as Michael
- *The Job Lot* (2013), series, as Karl Lyndhurst
- *The King is Dead* (2013), as Nicky
- *Tower Block* (2012), as Paul
- *BBC Comedy Feeds* (2012), series, Actor
- *Grabbers* (2012), as Dr. Adam Smith
- *Walking the Dogs* (2012), as Footman
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Footman
- *The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!* (2012), as The Albino Pirate (voice)
- *Is This a Joke?* (2011), as Tim
- *The Ballad of Russell & Julie* (2011), as Midshipman Frame (archive footage)
- *American Horror Story* (2011), series, as Patrick Read
- *Him & Her* (2010), series, as Steve — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/him-and-her.md)
- *Sherlock* (2010), series, as Henry Knight — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/sherlock.md)
- *Mongrels* (2010), series, Actor
- *Huge* (2010), as Carl
- *Roar* (2009), as Tom
- *Being Human* (2009), series, as George Sands
- *In Passing* (2009), as Henry Travers
- *Little Dorrit* (2008), series, as John Chivery — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md)
- *Mutual Friends* (2008), series, as Estate Agent
- *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), series, as Marcus Johnstone — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md)
- *Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned* (2007), as Midshipman Alonso Frame
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), series, as Budgie — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *The History Boys* (2006), as Rudge — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-history-boys.md)
- *Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive* (2006), series, Actor
- *My Family and Other Animals* (2005), as Leslie Durrell
- *Doctor Who Confidential* (2005), series, as Narrator
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as PC Terence Reed
- *Servants* (2003), series, Actor
- *Ultimate Force* (2002), series, Actor
- *The Emperor's New Clothes* (2001), as Recruit
- *Messiah* (2001), series, as Robbie McManus
- *The Red Peppers* (2001), as Alf
- *Holby City* (1999), series, as Jerome Hibbert, Adam Spengler
- *The Mrs Bradley Mysteries* (1998), series, as Stable boy
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, Actor
- *Spywatch* (1996), series, as Dennis Sealey
- *Mud* (1994), series, as Bill
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Lionel Marshall — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *When the Wolves Came*, as Sebastian
- *Wild Bird*, as Alexander McQueen · Writer, Executive Producer
- *Real Love (Yes, It's Real Love!)*, as Mick

## Gallery

- ![Russell Tovey](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-1c911a7bbd78.jpg) Russell Tovey — Charlotte Pritchard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Russell_Tovey_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, Lenora Critchlow & Toby Whithouse (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-4e10d27c7886.jpg) Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, Lenora Critchlow & Toby Whithouse (2009) — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey%2C_Lenora_Critchlow_%26_Toby_Whithouse_%283773117440%29.jpg/1280px-Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey%2C_Lenora_Critchlow_%26_Toby_Whithouse_%283773117440%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-1587bee976a4.jpg) Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009) — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283772411613%29.jpg/1280px-Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283772411613%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-67545bb79c53.jpg) Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009) — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283772415047%29.jpg/1280px-Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283772415047%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Tovey](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-751e3acb0a37.jpg) Russell Tovey — Image via TMDB
- ![Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-78a78860a54a.jpg) Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009) — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283773196474%29.jpg/1280px-Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283773196474%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/21535/gallery-e3bbbb913a57.jpg) Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey & Lenora Critchlow (2009) — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283773211412%29.jpg/1280px-Aidan_Turner%2C_Russell_Tovey_%26_Lenora_Critchlow_%283773211412%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/russell-tovey