Russell T Davies memoir traces five decades of boundary-pushing British television
Russell T Davies has released his memoir "The Queerest of Folk," which chronicles his five-decade career in British television through anecdotes and reflections on his major shows and industry experiences. The warm, gossipy autobiography offers intimate insight into the behind-the-scenes world of British TV, particularly how Davies pushed creative boundaries with groundbreaking series including Queer As Folk and Doctor Who, whilst also addressing deeply personal matters such as his husband Andrew's death from cancer in 2018.
The book spans from Davies' upbringing in Swansea in 1963 through his formative work at Granada Studios alongside colleagues including Kay Mellor and Paul Abbott. Queer As Folk, which aired on Channel 4 in 1999, is presented as revolutionary for bringing funny, explicit, and unashamedly gay stories to mainstream television when such content was virtually absent from the medium. Davies balances warmth and candour throughout, frequently praising collaborators whilst remaining unafraid to criticise those he feels deserve it, including Gwyneth Paltrow on intimacy coordinators and producers who presumed to lecture him on television production.
- Russell T Davies' memoir covers five decades in television with warmth and honesty
- Queer As Folk (1999) revolutionised TV by bringing funny, explicit gay stories to mainstream audiences
- Davies addresses personal tragedy including his husband Andrew's cancer death in 2018
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Russell T Davies is a British television writer and producer who has shaped British television over several decades. He has now published a memoir called "The Queerest of Folk" that looks back on his career and personal life through anecdotes and reflections.
Davies is known for creating groundbreaking series, most notably Queer As Folk, which aired on Channel 4 in 1999 and was revolutionary for bringing gay characters and stories to mainstream British television at a time when such content was rare. He has also worked on major shows like Doctor Who, establishing himself as a significant figure in British television.
The memoir explores not only his professional achievements and behind-the-scenes stories, but also deeply personal matters, including the death of his husband Andrew from cancer in 2018. It offers an intimate look at his journey from his upbringing in Swansea to becoming one of Britain's most influential television creators.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “The Queerest of Folk by Russell T Davies review – the groundbreaking screenwriter tells it like it is”.