Russell Tovey: I was advised many times not to come out, I don't think there was many people who'd done that and I feel really proud that I'm one of those that did'

"Since he was quite young, Russell Tovey, 44, has been chased by the same question: who the hell is Russell Tovey? This query may be answered by resorting to the usual formalities; a British actor known for series like Years and Years (2019) and American Horror Story: NYC (2021). But this would be, in the words of Rosalia's song La Perla, a reductionist narrative. Throughout his life, labels have rained down on Tovey, all of them accurate and all of them, insufficient."

"Faced with such a barrage of labels, how does he define himself? I'm a storyteller that is desperate to tell stories, desperate to connect. I am making work whatever that be, writing, you know, acting, the podcast that I needed as a kid. I want to be the best version of myself for my younger self, but also so that other people can hopefully see me and feel safe,"

Russell Tovey has navigated a life shaped by recurring questions about his identity and labels that never fully capture him. He achieved early success as a BBC actor, debuting at 12, and gained wider recognition for series such as Years and Years and American Horror Story: NYC. He became an outspoken LGBTQ+ activist in his twenties and later moved into Hollywood. He built a presence in contemporary art, collecting drawings, curating exhibitions, and hosting the podcast Talk Art. He calls himself a storyteller driven to create work that connects and offers safety. He recently spent his 44th birthday alone in Margate, choosing to respect his time after decades of work.

Read at english.elpais.com