For me, faith is more about aspiration than complacency - the

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Tom Hollander, the English actor known for his roles in Rev., The Night Manager, and Pride & Prejudice.

“For me, faith is more about aspiration than complacency — the smug satisfaction that other people find distasteful.”
— Tom Hollander

Context and Background

Tom Hollander made this remark in an interview discussing religion, morality, and his role in the television series Rev. (2010–2014), where he played Reverend Adam Smallbone — a well-meaning but often struggling inner-city vicar. The show’s success came from its honest and humorous portrayal of faith as something complex, human, and full of doubt rather than self-righteousness.

In this quote, Hollander reflects on how he personally views faith: not as a mark of superiority or moral comfort, but as a continuous striving toward goodness and meaning.

Interpretation

• “Faith is more about aspiration” — faith, for Hollander, is about trying to live rightly and compassionately, even amid imperfection.

• “Than complacency — the smug satisfaction…” — he critiques the tendency of some religious expressions to become self-satisfied or judgmental, alienating others.

Summary

This statement captures Hollander’s thoughtful and self-aware approach to spirituality — seeing faith not as a badge of virtue, but as an ongoing, humble pursuit of betterment. It also mirrors the compassionate realism that defines his portrayal of clergy and moral characters on screen.