Tom Hollander

When Rev first hit our screens last year, its lack of belly-laughs might have seemed a bit of a ­disadvantage for a sitcom.

But as a hugely-deserved series two begins, it's obvious that its more gentle humour is in fact a stroke of divine genius - making it more true-to-life and ­consequently far, far funnier than any number of Dibley-ish chocolate fountain moments.

The modern vicar's impossible mission of having to please all the people all the time is perfectly captured in James Woods's confident script and Tom Hollander's sweet-natured performance. The only banana skins you'll find vicar Adam Smallbone skidding on are moral ones and in this week's episode he's got his dog collar in a twist over whether or not to accept a Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain award after accidentally tripping a mugger.

To paraphrase Life Of Brian, he's not a hero - he's just a very clumsy vicar. But what does God want him to do?

Adam's prayers are a regular feature of Rev, but as God never replies, these are, by necessity, a one-way conversation. Tonight, as one of God's regional managers appears in the shape of the Bishop of London (a marvellous cameo from Ralph Fiennes) your imagination fills in the requisite choir of angels and celestial light.

There's also a lovely scene in a ­steam-room where Adam, Archdeacon Robert and publicity-hungry vicar Roland appear to be sitting on a cloud.

But Rev's brief lies is more earthly matters and this week we're treated to a heart-felt rant from Adam's wife (Olivia Colman).

Being married to a man who doesn't even get Sundays off definitely isn't her idea of heaven.

This vicar comedy may be gentle in tone but its cast, direction and script is often first-rate: witness the scene in which Adam Smallbone's appearance at the impending Pride Of Britain awards is snootily sized up by two well-known guest stars in a sauna. Yes, Tom Hollander's Smallbone is a hero in this series two opener, though he's more intent on forcing fresh air down the lungs of inner-city school kids, via a trip to the White Cliffs of Dover.

The Rev. returns

Tomorrow night the fabulous Tom Hollander (In The Loop), Olivia Colman (Twenty Twelve) and Steve Evets (Looking for Eric) return to BBC Two at 9pm in the new series of Rev.

A welcome second series for Tom Hollander and John Wood's gentle, exquisitely observed comedy about the quietly determined, morally conflicted vicar of a rough East London parish. Hollander is superb as the diminutive Rev Alan Smallbone, who tonight finds himself an unlikely nominee for a heroism award. There's a terrific supporting cast led by Olivia Colman, Miles Jupp, Hugh Bonneville and Ralph Fiennes.

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Rev star Tom Hollander: 'I'll never go pro!'

Tom Hollander chats about donning a dog collar to play vicar Adam Smallbone in the new series of BBC2's Bafta-award winning sitcom Rev.

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Tom Hollander and Olivia Colman interview

The BAFTA award-winning comedy about a vicar living in a deprived inner-city borough returns for a second series. TV Choice speaks to Tom Hollander, who plays the Rev Adam Smallbone, and Olivia Colman, who plays his wife Alex.

Rev, the award-winning BBC2 sitcom, has had to make some concessions to success. It returns in an earlier slot of 9pm, writer Mark Wood told a gathering of clerics at the Church & Media forum, so the amount of swearing by the put-upon Rev Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) has been heavily pared back. But he is still allowed to smoke and get into scrapes, and in one episode has ecstasy slipped into his drink. The Bafta may also have helped to attract guest stars including Ralph Fiennes, who plays the Bishop of London. One clergyman told Wood they viewed Rev as a documentary. God help him.