Viewers are praising the BBC crime drama 'The Responder,' set in Liverpool and starring Martin Freeman, for its 'compelling' storyline and 'moving' themes, but the series is so harrowing that audiences are left feeling 'exhausted' after each episode. The show boasts a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and fans alike struggling to find fault.
Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
The British police procedural drama, written by former Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher, has carved out a reputation as one of the most gripping series on television. Martin Freeman plays Chris Carson, a demoted police officer who works night shifts in Liverpool city centre while battling his volatile temper and desire to do good. The character's childhood trauma and on-the-job experiences have left him deeply troubled, and viewers follow his life as it shifts between gruelling shifts, therapy sessions, visits to his mother in a care home, and encounters with his estranged father.
One Rotten Tomatoes review states: '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 adds: 'Freeman delivers another outstanding performance. Great cast, gripping and brutal. Bernard Hill was remarkable in his final performance. God bless him.'
Cast and Reception
Alongside Freeman, the cast includes Adelayo Adedayo as probationary police officer PC Rachel Hargreaves, Warren Brown as demoted officer Raymond Mullen, and Bernard Hill as Tom Carson in what became his final performance before his death on the day of the second series broadcast. The show originally aired in 2022 and was commissioned for a second series of five episodes in 2024, but fans were devastated to learn it would not continue beyond two seasons.
Despite the intense emotions, viewers find the series addictive. One viewer claimed to be 'exhausted at the end of each episode' yet 'unable to stop.' A Decider critic wrote: 'The Responder continues to be a compelling watch, mainly because Martin Freeman is so good at barely containing Chris Carson's rage.' Most viewers agree that the series deserves a five-star rating, with Freeman's performance elevating the show to critical acclaim.
Where to Watch
Both seasons of 'The Responder' are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
