The War Between the Land and the Sea star's new book adaptation casts Sherlock and 1917 actors

Russell Tovey's debut novel Starlings will be published as an Audible Original.

Russell Tovey as Barclay Pierre-Dupont in The War Between The Land And The Sea. He is stood in front of a black truck, and there are four officers wearing black, holding guns behind him.

BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon

Published: Tuesday, 2 June 2026 at 4:12 pm

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Russell Tovey, recently seen leading The War Between the Land and the Sea, has turned his hand to writing, with his debut novel Starlings set to be published as an Audible Original.

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Given this, the book needs a cast, and it has accrued an impressive one, with Sherlock's Andrew Scott and 1917's George MacKay set to star.

The synopsis for the book, which will be released on 1 July and is set in Clapham, says: "Starlings introduces Donald (Scott), a forty-something aspiring drag queen, who has spent years masking deep bitterness behind sharp wit and painted nails.

"Exiled from his northern hometown after his father discovered him wearing women’s clothes, Donald has avoided confronting his past for decades, surrounding himself with an unruly group of friends as he navigated his identity.

"When Donald’s enigmatic younger brother, Owen (MacKay) unexpectedly appears at his door due to their father’s death, Donald is forced to reckon with old wounds as the brothers reunite after years apart. From visiting drag shows, to dive bars, the novel follows Donald and Owen as they attempt to reconcile their shared history and heal past trauma."

Andrew Scott and George Mackay.

Andrew Scott and George Mackay. Dominik Bindl/Getty Images, Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI

Tovey said in a statement: "It’s been the biggest privilege to bring this story and these characters alive with the best team at Audible and the most perfect and gifted cast of actors. This is a world and a community that I admire and love so much and hope in turn listeners will fall in love with too."

Scott and MacKay will be joined in the cast of the audiobook by Michele Austin (Black Mirror), Julian Kostov (The White Lotus) and Jason Patel (Virdee), alongside drag performers Dosa Cat, Gigi Zahir and That Girl. Tovey will also be playing a character.

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Scott was recently seen in the latest Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man, while MacKay starred in Rose of Nevada, Mark Jenkin's latest film which was released earlier this year.

Starlings will be released on Audible on 1 July 2026. Read our list of the best audiobooks on Audible to listen to right now.

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Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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