Martin Freeman's BBC crime drama The Responder has captivated viewers with its 'compelling' and 'moving' storyline, earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series, set in Liverpool, follows Freeman's character Chris Carson, a demoted police officer struggling with his temper and past trauma while working night shifts.
Plot and Performances
Created by former Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher, The Responder is a British police procedural that premiered in 2022. Freeman plays Chris Carson, a once-inspector now working as a responder, battling his volatile emotions and desire to do right. The show explores his gruelling night shifts, therapy sessions, visits to his mother in a care home, and strained relationship with his estranged father.
One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: 'An incredible series, it is heavy, and thanks to some incredible acting, you can feel the sense of helplessness, depression and the rage boiling under the surface. It speaks to the wounds we carry both collectively and individually, and it is vulnerable, moving and frustrating.' Another reviewer noted: 'Freeman delivers another outstanding performance. Great cast, gripping and brutal. Bernard Hill was remarkable in his final performance. God bless him.'
Cast and Critical Reception
Alongside Freeman, the cast includes Adelayo Adedayo as PC Rachel Hargreaves, a probationary officer, and Warren Brown as Raymond Mullen, another demoted officer. The late Bernard Hill appears as Tom Carson in his final role, which aired in series two in 2024. The show earned Freeman an International Emmy Award for his performance.
A critic for Decider wrote: 'The Responder continues to be a compelling watch, mainly because Martin Freeman is so good at barely containing Chris Carson's rage.' The series holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences struggling to find fault with its 'moving' subject matter.
Impact and Availability
Viewers have described the show as emotionally gruelling, with one claiming to be 'exhausted at the end of each episode' yet 'unable to stop.' Despite its critical acclaim, the drama ended after two series, leaving devotees devastated. Both seasons are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
