He attended Down High Grammar School, and later graduated from St Peter's College, Oxford, where he studied modern history.
[1] Russell completed a Master's degree in medieval history at Queen's University, Belfast.
Both novels were subsequently adapted for the stage in Northern Ireland, followed by a final theatrical sequel, Say You'll Remember Me, which received its first performance in 2016.
[6] In 2017, his biography of English queen consort Catherine Howard was published, based on research undertaken between 2010 and 2016.
[13] In the same year, he was a main contributor to BBC Northern Ireland's and Al Jazeera's coverage for the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and accession of Charles III.