British heartthrob Russell Tovey to star in new ITV drama

British broadcaster ITV has confirmed that Russell Tovey will star in a new drama called Flesh and Blood.

Tovey, who is openly gay, will join headliners such as Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis, Stephen Rea in the family saga.

ITV said it would be a darkly witty and gripping four-part drama. The show explores family dynamics and modern relationships as they spiral towards a tragedy and possible crime.

Tovey, fresh from his outing in BBC futuristic drama Years and Years, will play one of three siblings. Each will see their comfortable lives upended by a new arrival.

Flesh and Blood is a modern story of three adult siblings – Helen (Claudie Blakley), Jake (Russell Tovey) and Natalie (Lydia Leonard) ITV said. Their lives thrown into disarray when their recently widowed mother Vivien (Francesca Annis) declares she’s in love with a new man, Mark (Stephen Rea), ITV said.

Russell Tovey [right] in Years and Years | Photo: BBC

It has not yet been announced whether Tovey’s character will be LGBTI. We’re hoping this will be the case for two reasons. Tovey plays gay characters brilliantly. And it would a great opportunity to bring an LGBTI perspective to such a gripping drama.

We’re thinking sizzling Lionsgate soccer movie The Pass and HBO’s Looking, just for starters.

Filmed on location in London and along the Sussex coast, Flesh and Blood is produced by Letitia Knight (Dark Heart, Vera). Silverprint Pictures’ Creative Director Kate Bartlett (Dark Heart, Shetland, Vera) executive produces the series with Sarah Williams.

Silverprint Pictures is part of ITV Studios. ITV Studios Global Entertainment will distribute Flesh and Blood internationally.

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