Trollied

The supermarket sitcom returns for a second series - a reasonably worthy recipient of Sky's huge investment in comedy and drama. Trollied remains at its best when it concentrates on the observational rather than the smutty, and most interest lies in the ups and downs of the highly strung deputy store manager Julie (Jane Horrocks). In the opener, Gavin (Jason Watkins) is leaving and Julie wants to give him a send-off to remember, but there's also the arrival of the new store manager to contend with and hard-boiled Lorraine Chain (Stephanie Beacham) has plans to revamp the Warrington branch of Valco leaving butcher Andy (Mark Addy) worried.

Trollied, the little comedy that taught us just how enthralling life in a budget supermarket can be, returns for its second series this week with a new boss - Dynasty ice queen Stephanie Beacham.

Episode one sees the Valco gang trying to adjust to life under their new boss - something that Julie (Jane Horrocks) in particular struggles with as she pines over her lost-love Gavin (Jason Watkins). The ladies' conflict comes to a head in the second instalment at 9.30pm when they differ over the store's new below-basic range. Trollied is far from a two-woman show though - Mark Addy, Nick Blood, Beverly Rudd and the rest of the crew are back as well, waiting for you to check them out.

Stephanie Beacham interview

Former Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham joins the second series of the supermarket comedy.

Valco to re-open doors for a second series of Trollied

Some extremely welcome news on the comedy front as Sky1 HD unlocks the doors of Valco later this month for a second series of Trollied on Sky1 HD.

Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham to appear in Trollied

Ex-Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham has promised fans "aisle make you laugh" - as she stars in a supermarket comedy.

Jason Watkins interview

CultBox caught up with Jason Watkins to discuss the show's success and his latest stint as Being Human's vampire leader, Herrick...

DVD review: Trollied sitcom from Sky1

Sky1 serves you right.

As we're now well aware, Julie will readily grasp any chance to lord it over her colleagues, so the arrival of Valco's area manager ("we go way back") appears to be the perfect opportunity to act all superior. The trouble is that Colin Falcon turns out to be a disreputable so-and-so.

He's played by Lee Boardman (horrid Jez Quigley in Corrie). Here, Boardman's character chances his arm with Katie on the checkout and puts Julie in a very difficult situation.

Julie finally gets her chance to run things when Gavin goes away for the day and Andy bumps into a former meaty nemesis as the supermarket comedy continues. There has been a wave of ever so slightly patronising "northern" sitcoms and comic dramas lately (Candy Cabs, Sugartown and Mount Pleasant) which lean heavily on the characters' likability and not much else. But Trollied does at least keep the gags fresh and in plentiful supply. A brightly lit supermarket is a tough place to set a comedy, though; something about all that strip-lighting seems to bleach out the laughs.