Russell Tovey can’t stop raving about his newest co-star—and trust us, darlings, you’ll be swooning, too!
In the upcoming indie drama Plainclothes, Tovey teams up with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snake breakout Tom Blyth for a 1990s-set undercover romance that’s already sending pulses racing in the LGBTQ+ film world.
“When I first met Tom on Zoom, I thought, ‘This guy’s the real deal,’” Tovey recently dished in an interview with Variety, adding that Blyth is “full of stardust” and “an absolute passion” when it comes to filmmaking.
Apparently, that star power had the whole set under a charming spell—but Tovey wasn’t about to let his co-star soak up all the love: “I turned the charm up and said, ‘You’re going to love me, too!’”
Yes, please.
The film sets its clandestine scene in 1990s Syracuse, New York, where Tom Blyth plays Lucas, an undercover cop assigned to target gay men—until he meets Andrew (Tovey), the man he’s supposed to entrap.
One stolen look, and suddenly sting operations turn into something far more dangerous: falling in love.
This undercover-to-lover plot has all the makings of a swoon-worthy slow burn, so break out the popcorn, folks.
+Related: Russel Tovey & Tom Blyth Tackle ’90s Gay Undercover Drama
Tovey—no stranger to complex queer roles—admits he’s drawn to the tensions and vulnerabilities lurking in these stories.
Think of his work as closeted Joe Pitt in Angels in America, or even his layered performance in the HBO series Looking.
For him, it’s all about grappling with the emotional stakes and the heartache of characters who wrestle with coming out, societal pressure, or even “sting ops” in public bathrooms.
Yep, that’s real drama.
But there’s heart and hope here, too.
Tovey points out that Plainclothes spans “intergenerational queer connections,” bridging communities and reminding us how important it is to share our stories across time.
The film will make its big splash at Sundance, which means it’s the perfect time to keep an eye on Tom Blyth—he’s stepping firmly into the spotlight, and we absolutely love a fresh new face shaking up the screen.
So mark your calendars, babes.
With a stirring romance, undercover intrigue, and two Brits turning up the smolder, Plainclothes might just be this season’s must-see queer cinematic moment.
Will the sting lead to heartbreak, happily-ever-after, or both? Only time—and maybe a festival screening or two—will tell.
One thing’s certain: Russell Tovey’s got us all excited about this dynamic duo, so come watch them charm us right out of our… well, plain clothes.