British Comedy Guide
Flowers. Deborah (Olivia Colman). Copyright: Kudos Productions
Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman

  • 50 years old
  • English
  • Actor, producer and executive producer

Press clippings Page 26

Back tonight for a new run is BBC2's sitcom Twenty Twelve (10pm), about the hapless bunch charged with the task of organising this year's Olympics.

Hugh Bonneville resumes his role as the chairman, dealing in this first episode with a threatened boycott by the Algerians, angry that the Olympic Village's so-called Shared Belief Centre doesn't face Mecca.

Other stars include Olivia Colman and Jessica Hynes.

Mike Ward, Daily Star, 30th March 2012

Delivering the Olympics is a job so insanely complicated, it should be beyond the remit of any mere mortal.

And the British Olympic Deliverance Committee is back to prove once again just how very fallible and human they can be.

Winner of the Best TV Sitcom in the British Comedy Awards, John Morton's mockumentary has finally been released from the scheduling ghetto of BBC4 and promoted to BBC2 for two new series before the real thing kicks off in July.

This week Algeria is threatening to boycott the Games because the all-purpose prayer centre in the Olympic Village doesn't have any of its walls facing Mecca.

For head of Deliverance Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) it's just one more PR nightmare to add to the towering pile of other PR nightmares in his in-tray that he really doesn't need.

Having just separated from his wife, he's also about to move into a new flat - which is a chance for his quietly superhuman PA Sally (Olivia Colman) to prove just how invaluable she can be.

Sally is secretly in love with Ian, of course. Just check out the look of pure jealously that flickers across her face for the briefest instant as an attractive new girl joins the team as Head Of Legacy.

Head of Sustainability Sally Hope (Amelia Bullmore) is not pleased to learn she'll be sharing an office either.

But she's not bothered about the Algerians.

Her only care is that 2012 will go down as the games that changed the way people dry their hands.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 30th March 2012

The first series, on BBC4, initially felt like a thin, sub-The Office comedy of embarrassment. But after a couple of repeat runs it emerged as something rather warm, and perky enough to transfer to BBC2.

Everyone on the hapless, chaotic Olympic Deliverance Committee, headed by the well-meaning but inept Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville, who, like the rest of the cast, downplays brilliantly), is still mired in doublespeak. But the Games are looming and the Algerians are threatening a boycott because the "Shared Belief Centre" doesn't face Mecca. Worse, there's a problem with the hand dryers.

And Ian's faithful secretary, "Not a problem" Sally (that comedy marvel Olivia Colman), is still hopelessly, wordlessly, in love with him. But iron enters Sally's soul when she spots a rival.

Alison Graham, Radio Times, 30th March 2012

The dry-as-toast mock-doc about the London Olympic planning committee returns. Ian (Hugh Bonneville) faces an escalating crisis when one national team insists that the multifaith worship centre in the Olympic village faces Mecca. The way Siobhan (Jessica Hynes) says "Muslim" is perfect in its ignorance: "Muss-lum" she repeats, over and over. That and her insistence that Muslim and Islam are two different religions. Another perfectly judged script with superb performances, most notably Olivia Colman's PA. Solid gold stuff.

Julia Raeside, The Guardian, 29th March 2012

Olivia Colman wins best actress at Standard Film Awards

Following Bafta snub earlier in the year, actress bags gong for her role in Tyrannosaur.

Tom Cole, Radio Times, 7th February 2012

Olivia Colman sheds dowdy image for awards bash

She's know for playing quite plain characters such as Sophie in Peep Show and a vicar's wife in Rev. But tonight, Olivia Colman proved that she can pull off super sexy with the best of them as she arrived at an awards ceremony in a very low cut dress.

Georgina Littlejohn, Daily Mail, 20th January 2012

How Olivia Colman made the big time

After sitcoms and serious drama, Olivia Colman is about to start West End rehearsals in a Noel Coward classic.

Vanessa Thorpe, The Guardian, 8th January 2012

Aw, I want to pull Rev into a warm embrace; it's such a kind, sweet, life-affirming programme and this final episode in the series (a Christmas special is on its way) is just fuzzy with goodness.

You'll even end up feeling sympathy for the something-of-the-night-about-him Archdeacon (Simon McBurney) when he admits to a big secret about his personal life. Hint: Adam and Nigel spot him choosing a bed with a handsome friend called Richard (guest star James Purefoy). Which could put an end to the Archdeacon's dreams of becoming Bishop of Stevenage.

There is a rare moment of accord between the Archdeacon and Adam (Tom Hollander), who has much to contemplate. His unhappy wife Alex (luminous Olivia Colman) has gone on a walking holiday to think about their future. Such is our emotional connection with these people, you'll be willing their marriage not to fail.

Alison Graham, Radio Times, 15th December 2011

Olivia Colman, Julia Davis, Sharon Horgan to star in C4 pilot

Olivia Colman, Julia Davis and Sharon Horgan are set to star in Bad Sugar, a new Channel 4 sitcom pilot written by Peep Show's Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong.

British Comedy Guide, 1st December 2011

There's a heatwave in St Saviour In The Marshes this week and it's giving Adam (Tom Hollander) some very disturbing nightmares. One of his parishioners (guest star Sylvia Syms) is having sleepless nights for a different reason. She thinks her care home is haunted and wants Adam to perform an exorcism. Nigel, in particular is only too happy to oblige.

This is a slightly disjointed episode, but fans of Jimmy Akingbola from Holby will be very pleased to see him make his first appearance this series as Mick. He's only in one scene, but it's hilarious.

And the other revelation this week is getting to meet Adam's five-year-old god-daughter Enid (Olivia Riley). After just an hour with her and her blessed recorder (you may want ear-plugs) Adam and Alex (Olivia Colman) start to wonder whether having children of their own is such a good idea after all.

Jane Simon, The Mirror, 24th November 2011

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