Every once in awhile a Britcom comes along that completely reminds me of why I love Britcoms. It usually possesses an innately British setting with flawed but whimsical characters plodding along in some form of the human condition. That sounds simple, but really very few shows manage to do it. But the latest is a wonderful BBC 2 sitcom about an inner-city parish called Rev.
The action centers around the Rev. Adam Smallbone, played by Tom Hollander, who is recently assigned to be the vicar of St Saviour’s in East London, a small church that struggles both monetarily and in parishioners. The easy subheadline to Rev would be “Not ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ in the least.” No rolling green hills and respectful countryfolk on this show. These are literally the mean streets of London. Adam is heckled by construction workers, ogled by an overly sexually excitable parishioner, mocked by his archdeacon, and not-so-subtly undermined by a jealous lay reader
Beyond Hollander, who is a lovely actor who manages to evoke both world-weariness and faith whilst looking like a less exuberantly glossy Declan Donnelly (hair and height especially), the show also stars Olivia Colman as Adam’s wife Alex. Colman’s biggest previous role was that of Sophie on Peep Show, and this character once again does a great job with being long-suffering and a bit dissatisfied with the way things are. However, unlike the calculating and underachieving Sophie, Alex is a successful solicitor who merely chafes at the traditional role of the vicar’s wife and with having her husband tending a flock of odd misfits as well as her own needs, and her love for Adam shows beneath the exasperation.
But whilst Adam finds himself so lacking in support sometimes that he spends scenes asking God for advice alone from his church’s pews, he finds what he needs from some unlikely sources. Such as Colin (played by Steve Evets) who is a hard-drinking layabout who serves as Adam’s most faithful parishoner and a bit of a moral compass. and Ellie (played by Lucy Liemann) is the parish school’s headmistress who shares Adam’s desire for success, albeit with a bit less enthusiasm for playing by the rules, and who also serves as Adam’s one temptation.
In all, Rev has been one of the more enjoyable half-hours of scripted TV I’ve seen in awhile, and seems like it might have great potential for a BBC America pickup if it makes it through a few more series. One could say such a show would be a gift from God for both British and American audiences.
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
It’s one of the better sitcoms to come along for a while with some classic moments. Loved the bit where Rev Adam removes his dog collar before telling a bunch of noisy builders to “f*** off” . It’s one that will grow certainly.
Yeah, that was the scene that completely sold me on the show. It’s a definite grower.
There’s a lot to be said for this show BUT.. must it be So obvious that the BBC is liberal? Would they be capable of a sympathetic sitcom about an evangelical vicar?.. I think not alas. The way the evangelical priest is caricatured is a little bit weak to say the least and really gives a false impression of the tensions currently in existence within the C of E. Also, Rev Smallbone seems to chuckle when the evangelical preacher quotes scripture in his defence of his views on sexuality.. ?? Telling.
You’re right – a sitcom about a evangelical vicar would have loads of comedy material ! I’m sure the beeb will be making one soon.