Russell has worked as an actor for over ten years. he has worked extensively in film and theatre. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. His first play "Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters' was first performed at the Traverse in an Out of Joint production directed by Max Stafford Clark. It won the Carol Tambor/ Scotsman award for the best production at the Edinburgh Festival 2004, and when on to do two runs in London at the Drill Hall, and two runs off broadway. His recent plays include "Vantastic" and "Lobster" which were commissioned for Queer up North 2009. A double bill of "Vantastic" and "Lobster" was performed at the Oval House Theatre in Autumn 2009
He is a recipient of multiple awards from the Peggy Ramsay Foundation.
