Tom Blyth & Russell Tovey on ‘Plainclothes’ Sex Scenes

“Plainclothes” Stars Reflect on Toxic masculinity, Timely Queer Representation in New Thriller

A new thriller, “Plainclothes,” is sparking conversation about policing, desire, and the enduring challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, as its stars, Russell Tovey and Tom Blyth, reflect on their own experiences with societal expectations and the power of representation. The film, currently in theaters, is resonating with audiences, especially given recent events in New York City.

Hollywood’s Initial Hurdles for Russell Tovey

Russell Tovey, 43, recalls a stark introduction to Hollywood expectations. “Get your ears pinned back and don’t come out,” he remembers being advised early in his career.Defying both suggestions, the openly gay actor has built a career telling queer stories through roles in television series like “Looking,” “feud,” and “American Horror story.” Now, he’s bringing another complex narrative to the screen with “Plainclothes.”

“Plainclothes” – A Story of Deception and Desire

“Plainclothes” is set in 1990s New York and follows Lucas (Tom Blyth), an undercover cop tasked with arresting gay men soliciting in public spaces. The narrative takes a turn when Lucas begins to fall for Andrew (Tovey), one of his targets, who leads a double life himself. The film explores themes of identity, repression, and the complexities of desire within a fraught social and political landscape.

From “Hunger Games” to Intimacy: Tom Blyth’s Transition

Tom Blyth, 30, sought a project drastically different from his recent role as a young Coriolanus Snow in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” He promptly connected with the script penned by writer and director Carmen Emmi,drawn to its “intimate and gritty” nature and its exploration of anxiety and policing.

Emmi’s approach, according to Blyth, is rooted in “strength through vulnerability,” a quality evident throughout the film, including its much-discussed sex scene. Blyth describes the scene as “beautifully done and so not gratuitous,” emphasizing its importance in revealing Lucas’s internal struggle. “The sex feels vital and urgent,” he explains. “It’s two people realizing that they’re falling for each other, but also that they may never get this chance again.”

Confronting Toxic Masculinity: Shared Experiences

Both Tovey and Blyth reflect on the pervasive influence of toxic masculinity during their formative years in the United Kingdom. The film’s exploration of this theme resonated deeply with both actors, stemming from their own experiences navigating societal pressures.

Blyth recalls high school as “an exercise in toxic masculinity,” marked by fear and the need to conform. “I remember being so fearful to go into the P.E. changing rooms, because there were certain guys who wanted to fight and constantly exert their dominance,” he says. “I remember thinking, ‘You’ve got to fit in or go under the radar. You’ve got to survive.’“ He adds that many boys likely felt the same way,suggesting a need for open conversations about feelings.

tovey shares how “exhausting” and “stressful” it was to be in the closet before coming out at 18. “We as queer people inherently carry a lot of shame, especially my generation and older,” he states. He vividly remembers actively trying to avoid attention at school, fearing ridicule. “If you were intelligent or showed interest in anything other than soccer, then you were gay and you’d be a target,” he recounts, recalling a particularly painful moment in religious education class where classmates laughed at him after a teacher statistically mentioned the likelihood of gay students. “After that, I went, ‘I really need to be hypervigilant now and not make too much of a scene.’ It’s horrible.”

The Timeliness of “Plainclothes” and Ongoing Challenges

The film’s themes have taken on added importance considering recent events. New York City has faced criticism for a crackdown on a queer hookup spot in Midtown Manhattan,resulting in over 200 arrests for public lewdness since June. This echoes the very issues depicted in “Plainclothes,” highlighting the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and safety.

According to a comment Carmen emmi recently saw online, a retired Chicago PD officer shared that the events in the film mirrored his own experiences. Blyth notes that hearing such stories is “insane,” but also incredibly validating, knowing the film resonates with those who have lived similar realities.

Both actors find solace in the arts,with Tovey praising James Corden’s Broadway revival of “Art” and Blyth marveling at his friend Rachel Zegler’s performance in “Evita” in London. They both found refuge in theater and drama classes as preteens, spaces that fostered “gentle, vulnerable masculinity.” Tovey emphasizes the importance of these outlets, stating, “You need that outlet to be like, ‘OK, I can channel all these feelings.’“

“Plainclothes” is proving to be more than just a thriller; it’s a poignant reflection of societal issues and a testament to the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. The film’s ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level suggests its impact will extend far beyond the screen.