Jon Hamm

Set in Russia in 1917 and based on the short stories of Mikhail Bulgakov, this might seem like a bleak prospect but far from it; starring Daniel Radcliffe as a doctor working in a small village at the start of the revolution and Jon Hamm as his older self in the Stalin era, this is very funny indeed in its bleakly provincial way, with echoes of The Irish RM and Blackadder. "We have a lot of fun round here," one of Radcliffe's new colleagues promises him on arrival. "Only last month I heard a very amusing anecdote." Take his word for it.

Video: Daniel Radcliffe & Jon Hamm interview

Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe talk about their roles in A Young Doctor's Notebook, the new miniseries coming to Sky Arts 1 HD on 6 December. The series is an adaptation of Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov's novel of the same name. Hamm and Radcliffe reveal that they both have a true passion for the author.

Considering it's such a bleakly intimate comedy, Getting On attracts glittery attention. It's a favourite of Mad Men's Jon Hamm and, in the final episode, Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton has a wordless cameo as the assistant to a preposterously pretentious artist.

Swinton, barely recognisable with black hair, turns up on K2 ward with a bunch of kids doing an art project. Their teacher is a ludicrous bearded German who announces to his little group, "All human interraction is social sculpture." He then insists they pester the old ladies, adding, "Bodily fluids can also be part of the creative process", when one worries about her wee.

It's a lovely valedictory episode - hugely funny in parts, but brushed with sadness in others.

Jon Hamm & Harry Potter join forces in Russian classic

A fervent passion for the work of author Mikhail Bulgakov has brought the actors together to play the same doctor in a TV series based on the writer's first book.

Ronna and Beverley must be hilarious live, because that's surely the only way they managed to bag a Sky Atlantic chat show that can pull in guests of the calibre of Jon Hamm and Will Arnett. Despite the duo's best attempts at outrageous sexual humour, this lukewarm comedy offering ends up being as shocking as an announcement of delays on the Northern Line. In spite of attempts to sex her up, Sue Perkins remains well within her comfort zone. And the X-rated revelation they bamboozle Will Arnett into: 'I have never had sex with Will Smith.' In between guests, one of their skits sees them upset unwitting Women's Institute members by talking about blowjobs. Isn't good comedy only meant to skewer people in positions of power?

Steve Coogan's last big attention-grabbing television appearance saw him sober-suited and angry giving evidence about press intrusion and phone-hacking to the Leveson Inquiry last year.

Tonight he joins Charlize Theron and Jon Hamm on Graham Norton's big red sofa, presumably to discuss his travails at the hands of an unforgiving press and the return of his monstrous, brilliant creation, embittered Radio Norwich DJ Alan Partridge. There will be a Partridge film later this year and a TV series is set for Sky Atlantic.

Daniel Radcliffe & Jon Hamm to appear in Russian comedy

Former Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Mad Men's Jon Hamm will appear together in A Young Doctor's Notebook, part of a new Playhouse Presents series.