Channel 4’s latest thriller, Tip Toe, made a blockbuster debut on Sunday night, instantly sparking a wave of passionate praise from both viewers and television critics. Within just its opening episodes, the production has been widely lauded by fans as the next television “masterpiece” of the year.

The new five-part series is the latest brainchild of Russell T Davies, a genius screenwriter who is no stranger to handling heavy, deeply profound, and socially important subjects. He previously moved millions of viewers with It’s A Sin—a powerful drama exploring the devastating impact of the 1980s AIDS crisis on young gay men in London—as well as the terrifyingly unstable future depicted in his dystopian thriller Years and Years. This time, Russell brings his sharp creative lens back to the present day, directly tracing the disastrous, real-world impact of online misinformation and hate speech.

Tip Toe is billed as an “urgent tale that brings a spotlight to bear on the prejudices which are creeping back into our lives”. The plot follows the relationship between Leo (played by Alan Cumming), the owner of a gay bar called Spit & Polish in Manchester’s Gay Village, and Clive (played by David Morrissey), his unsmiling and troubled neighbor. The two men have lived peacefully next door to each other for nearly 15 years.

However, just as life should be settling down into a calm routine, the world around them grows terrifyingly tense. Words quickly turn into weapons, opinions become radically polarized by modern influences, and gradually, two long-time neighbors transform into deadly enemies in a tense suburban thriller that challenges everything we consider to be safe.

Sharing the inspiration behind the series, screenwriter Russell T Davies revealed: “I wrote this partly because the front door key attracted me. I gave my front door to a neighbor, and it’s my job to consider how those things go wrong. As a gay man, I was very much feeling the rise of antagonism in society, accelerated by the online voice. I have a real fear for the future, and that’s where the tension and the horror of Tip Toe comes from”.

The breathless tension and raw authenticity of the drama captured even the most discerning viewers right from the start. Taking to social media platforms, fans showered the show with non-stop compliments: “Just finished episode 1 and I’m hooked! Definitely recommend #TipToe,” while another added, “Russell T Davies is a genius. Finished the first two episodes of Tip Toe”.

In addition to the overwhelming audience reception, prominent TV critics flooded the series with four and five-star reviews. The Telegraph described it as a “bold and stirring warning against hate” in a glowing four-star review. RadioTimes.com did not hesitate to award a perfect five stars to the “visceral and chilling” production. Meanwhile, The Independent hailed the series as a “terrifying, landmark queer drama”.

Tip Toe officially premiered its first episode on Sunday, May 31. Episode two will air on Channel 4 at 9:00 PM on Monday, June 1, with both opening episodes currently available to stream on Channel 4’s digital platform. For viewers who prefer not to wait, the remaining three episodes will all become available to stream on Sunday, June 7, ahead of their scheduled 9:00 PM nightly broadcasts on June 7, June 8, and June 9. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable, high-stakes emotional rollercoaster with Tip Toe!