Tom Hollander on churchgoers' positive reaction to Rev

The BBC2 comedy star also explains his new-found interest in religion.

Rev's Tom Hollander now a churchgoer

Rev star Tom Hollander has revealed that he has become a churchgoer since playing a beleaguered vicar in the hit BBC comedy.

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.

Holy spirit: the return of Rev

The success of the BBC comedy Rev took its makers by surprise. Now the trials of the Rev Smallbone and his challenging east London community are back for a second series.

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.

Richard E. Grant & Ralph Fiennes set for Rev. cameos

BBC Two comedy, Rev., is about to receive a solid gold injection of acting talent in the shape of Richard E. Grant and Ralph Fiennes.

Rev: preaching to the converted

It's great news the profound, well-observed and, above all, funny sitcom is a returning for a second series.

BBC2's Rev reborn for second series

Peep Show co-creator Sam Bain to take over as script editor on sitcom praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Rev wins the Comedy Award at the South Bank Awards

Rev has won the comedy award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2011.

Radio Times review

This apparently very gentle comedy about Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander), an unfortunate urban vicar, stealthily gained momentum during its run in the summer. Church-goers appreciated seeing a man of the cloth who wasn't a bumbling, asexual square, but the godless could well appreciate the Reverend's very earthly problems: self-doubt, professional frustration and nagging temptation.

Rev wasn't above the odd broad, visual gag either, while the sly social comment - Adam's frequent despair at vulgar modern society was hard to disagree with - made it rich, rounded and intelligent viewing.