Behind the scenes of Russell T Davies' twisty new thriller, Tip Toe

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Behind the scenes of Russell T Davies' twisty new thriller, Tip Toe11 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJosh ParryLGBT & identity reporter , The set of Tip ToeChannel 4Alan Cumming says the role involved some difficult, violent scenesOn a stereotypically rainy day in Manchester, we're ushered into a kitchen that at first glance appears to be in a normal terraced house. There are dishes in the sinks and food in the fridge, but a quick look outside at the blue skies and sunshine gives the game away - this is actually a TV set. The occupier of the house?

And sitting at the kitchen table is TV writing legend, Russell T Davies. The has been exclusively invited behind the scenes to meet the cast and crew of Davies' upcoming thriller, Tip Toe. It tells the story of two neighbours - one gay, one straight - whose ongoing feud gets darker and darker as one of them falls deeper into the world of online disinformation, with disastrous consequences for both.

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Mandy Ingham / NewsThe houses featured in the show were recreated in a Manchester film studio - Alan Cumming spoke to the in his character's kitchen'I wish television could change the world'Dealing with such serious topics, but still managing to be funny is well-trodden ground for Davies, but while It's a Sin looked back on the 80s and Years and Years was set in a dystopian future, Tip Toe is dealing with the here-and-now. "I see the world getting worse and worse these days to be honest," Davies says. "I am very worried about the future for my nieces and nephews.

"Channel 4Russell T Davies (left) is working with director Peter Hoar (right), who also directed It's a SinI ask if he hopes the show could have a positive, real-world impact. It's A Sin, for example, saw a huge increase in HIV testing rates, Mr Bates vs The Post Office brought the nation's attention to the Horizon IT scandal. Davies shakes his head.

"I wish television could change the world," he says. "I'd have written more and changed it faster if I could. I do feel bound to comment on the world though.

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"'It's so relevant, and so needed'Alan Cumming plays Leo Struthers, a 59-year-old who owns a bar in Manchester's Gay Village. Casting him is a personal triumph for Davies, who tells me he's been trying to get Cumming to appear in one of his shows for more than 20 years. The role of Leo was pitched to Cumming before the script was even written, and the actor was "blown away" by the concept because of a twist at the start of episode one: his character is dead.

"As the series goes on and we all get to like everybody, and worry for them, you almost forget ," Cumming explains. "But we don't know how it's happened, or when it's happened in the story. It's really clever, it's suspenseful.

"It's also so relevant and so needed. "Channel 4The series was filmed in and around Greater Manchester, including a residential street in SalfordDavid Morrissey plays Clive Goss, Leo's next door neighbour.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.