Sharon Rooney continues to shine as Rae goes to college

I do feel that My Mad Fat Diary is going from strength to strength and tonight's episode demonstrated everything that's great about the show.

After her disastrous first day at college, Rae's been skiving - and trying not to suffocate under an avalanche of self-doubt. Told by firmly-in-the-closet friend Archie that college means staying under the radar, she attempts to duck and dive out of the way of Finn - whom consensus has deemed the school fitty - lest anyone realise he's her boyfriend. Funny, but painfully so; Sharon Rooney's Rae is one of the most likable characters on TV, meaning the intensity of her unhappiness is sometimes hard to bear.

Reality is biting in a big way for Rae (Sharon Rooney) as the new college term sets all her insecurity alarm bells ringing and tricky questions keep nagging away at her hard-won confidence. Such as: why is Finn (Nico Mirallegro), the fittest boy on the planet, going out with her when he could take his pick from the popular girls? It's enough to send her back to her therapy group, where she meets a kindred spirit plagued by his own demons.

Radio Times review

Rae Earl (a brilliant Sharon Rooney) is desperate to fit in. It's the only thing that makes college vaguely bearable.

However she's dating Finn, the "fittest boy" in sixth form, and everyone has an opinion on it. Why? Because chubby, troubled girls like Rae aren't supposed to ride off into the sunset with the school heart-throb. Most painful of all is that Rae believes this spiteful chatter, allowing it to chip away at her already brittle self-esteem.

Despite cartoon scrawls and angsty voiceovers, this superbly acted drama never feels self-indulgent. Instead, its heartbreaking account of teenage growing pains will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated those precarious years.

Series two of E4's growing-pains drama is underway, with Sharon Rooney excellent in the role of troubled teenager Rae, struggling to deal with higher education, a boyfriend she's decided is out of her league, and a mother going through "the change". With Mad Fat, it's not so much catch up as pre-empt, with the series running an episode ahead on 4oD.

My Mad Fat Diary should be required viewing for teens

My Mad Fat Diary catches the wild teen vacillations between life's highs and lows with flesh-pinching accuracy.

Review: My Mad Fat Diary, series 2, E4

Can it possibly repeat that magic, or live up to expectations of the first series?

A second series for the intense teen comedy starring the rather brilliant Sharon Rooney. It is the era of Britpop and Oasis v Blur, and Rae is now out of hospital and preparing to start college. Her mum has married Karim and Finn seems to be showing an interest, so things are looking up. But Kester isn't sure Rae's sunny outlook is for real in the wake of Tix's departure. All this and now she has to think about lingerie and virginity and college. Excellent, essential coming-of-age stuff.

Things are looking up for hitherto troubled teen Rae (Sharon Rooney) as she opens up the pages of her diary for this second series. True, she's still got the odd body image issue or three, but the summer of 1996 is treating her well: she's hooked up with dream boyfriend Finn, her mates are fun and supportive, and she's even getting on with her mum - up to a point. So the main issue on her agenda is losing her V-plates, because the last thing she wants is to turn up for college as the last virgin standing. It can't be that hard, can it?

Radio Times review

Troubled, imperfect yet wholly relatable, protagonist Rae Earl is a graduate of the Lena Dunham school of comedy. A lot has changed since we saw her last.

It's the summer of 1996 and, no longer crippled by anxiety issues, Rae is finally dating doting One Direction lookalike Finn. Her mum is still eccentric, her insecurities still niggle but life has never been better for the Lincolnshire teen. Can it last? As September looms, it looks unlikely.

College is about to start, bringing with it the return of social hierarchy and all-too-painful memories of days spent in locked toilets avoiding Big G and the classroom bullies.

"I've been in denial," confides Rae in a trembling voiceover. "In denial about being better, about being thin, about everything." The show's debut run thoughtfully examined the complex world of teenage mental health. This second series looks set to be equally poignant.