Today the BBC have released the first image of Martin Freeman in their new five-part series The Responder as filming takes place in and around Liverpool City Region.
The Responder stars Martin Freeman as Chris, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised, unconventional urgent response officer tackling a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool.
Whilst trying to keep his head above water both personally and professionally, Chris is forced to take on a new rookie partner Rachel, played by Adelayo Adedayo. Both soon discover that survival in this high pressure, relentless, night-time world will depend on them either helping or destroying each other.
The Responder holds a mirror up to the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing - sometimes darkly funny, sometimes painfully tragic, always challenging.
Speaking about the new series, Martin Freeman said "Tony Schumacher’s scripts were so unique and honest that I knew very quickly that I wanted to be a part of The Responder and take on the role of Chris. No-one writes like Tony and it has been exhilarating inhabiting the world he has created."
And writer Tony Schumacher added "My fantasy casting when I was writing the character of Chris in The Responder was Martin Freeman. Seeing that fantasy become reality is beyond exciting. Martin is one of the great British actors. He brings such a well of talent and humanity that breathes magic into the words I've been lucky enough to give him. I can’t wait for audiences to get to see his performance in this role, it’s one I feel very lucky to have had a front row seat for."
Further casting includes, Ian Hart, MyAnna Buring, Kerrie Hayes, Warren Brown, David Bradley and Rita Tushingham alongside newcomers Josh Finan and Emily Fairn.
Written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher and made by Dancing Ledge Productions, this is Tony's first series for television. It's directed by Tim Mielants and produced by Rebecca Ferguson with Laurence Bowen and Chris Carey as executive producers for Dancing Ledge Productions and Mona Qureshi for the BBC.
The Responder will air on BBC One
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