Wild At Heart just perfect for Sunday evening slot

TV often falls into different camps. There's that which is hugely popular, attracts an audience in the high millions but, critically speaking, isn't that good.

Most reality shows, soap operas and light entertainment and anything from Jeremy Kyle fall into that category. It's pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap Tesco-esque TV and it appeals to the masses.

Then there's the stuff that appeals to the critics, but not necessarily to the wider public. Docu-dramas, reportage, films made especially for TV and anything by Shane Meadows fall into that sector.

Finally, there's the most elusive category of all: TV that is both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Such works have artistic integrity and somehow work their way into the popular consciousness.

Natural history programmes by David Attenborough, The Sopranos, The Office, The Wire, Cold Feet and anything by Jimmy McGovern are examples of such. It's a hard act being both good and popular: few programmes combine both style and substance. It's a subtle kind of alchemy that precious few have.

The British actor Stephen Tompkinson has made a career by creating works that fall into the latter category. He's one of our finest actors, on his way to becoming a national treasure, and has made numerous films and TV programmes that are quality, while also have great commercial appeal.

A brief look at his CV confirms the picture: year after year, he returns to our small screens to star in high-quality British drama – Drop The Dead Donkey, Ballykissangel, Grafters, In Deep and Aftermath. The word "integrity" runs through him like the letters in a stick of Blackpool rock.

His old mate, the late Pete Postlethwaite, with whom he worked on the film Brassed Off, was entirely the same. In many ways, Tompkinson is the carrier of Postlethwaite's flame.

He's just as likely to take time off from some big budget TV series to appear in a gritty play, like Live Theatre's dark comedy Faith and Cold Reading, this time last year, where he played big-time gangster Freddie the Suit.

Tompkinson has been exceptional in Wild At Heart, a programme that has stood the test of time because it is both popular and credible. It manages to tell a right, rollicking story but avoids excessive cliché or saccharine sentimentality.

Last night's episode was a corker. Tompkinson's character, Danny, pitched to pharmaceutical business so as to win a deal for his endangered species project. His rival, arrogant game boss Ed Lynch, played by former Cold Feet star Robert Bathurst, presented a more conventional proposal; the class act to Tompkinson's chaotic worthy but undercooked bid.

Wild At Heart is perfect end-of-the-weekend entertainment. Though the storylines can be predictable, they're engaging and warm. There were interesting sub-plots in last night's episode, involving love gone wrong for Olivia Adams, played by Olivia Scott-Taylor. And, of course, there's was the lush, breathtaking cinematography that has helped make the programme so popular.

Tompkinson et al seem to have a genuine fondness for both the animals and the dramatic landscape, which shines through. Their enjoyment was infectious.

The first episode of this season's Wild At Heart drew an audience not far short of seven million: little wonder, with Tompkinson at the helm, it's golden Sunday evening viewing.

Andy Richardson