Matthew Lewis

BBC Three's Afghanistan-set comedy-drama recently returned for a second series of sex, drones and rock'n'roll, this time boasting the addition of Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter's Neville). Capable of balancing goofiness with pathos, Bluestone 42 is M*A*S*H for the Mashable generation.

The controversial war-zone comedy returns for a second tour of duty as we catch up with bomb disposal unit Bluestone 42 in Helmand Province, where the humour is as dark and blue as ever. Tony Gardner (Fresh Meat) is back at the top of the food chain as Lt Col Philip Smith, coolly exerting his leadership over hot-blooded troops who bicker and battle as a distraction from the ever-present threat of attack. While Captain Nick Medhurst (Oliver Chris) weighs up his handgun against that of new arrival Cpl Gordon House (Matthew Lewis), Padre Mary Greenstock (Kelly Adams) announces a special award - to the 'filthiest bastard on the base'.

Radio Times review

The brash comedy about a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan returns with more gags about IEDs, STDs and the Taliban. Matthew Lewis - Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter films - throws off that sweet-natured image as he joins the cast as a new second-in-command to conceited Captain Medhurst (Oliver Chris).

As ever the base is riven by one-upmanship and ego clashes, particularly in Chris and Lewis's game of my gun's better than your gun. That could make for great comedy but the banter gets in the way. The best thing is Tony Gardner as the nonchalant Lieutenant Colonel - his lesson in the art of war is a minor masterpiece.

Matthew Lewis on Bluestone 42 and Harry Potter

The actor best known for playing Neville Longbottom tells RadioTimes.com all about playing Gordon "Towerblock" House on the BBC Three bomb disposal comedy.

Ah yes, that staple of Christmas television: the sitcom about a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan. Actually, the first series of Bluestone 42 overcame a shaky, cliché-riddled beginning to mature into a pretty decent workplace comedy; a second series is due in the New Year.

No preview copies were available, but this one-off introduces one Corporal Gordon House (played by Matthew Lewis, familiar from his role as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films), joining the team for his first tour of duty. Having excelled in training, House fancies himself even in the face of scepticism from his captain, Nick Medhurst (Oliver Chris). Might the new man's confidence prove misplaced? Well, what do you think? This may be a Christmas special with a relatively unorthodox theme, but don't go expecting too many surprises.