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Summary Working as a Liverpool police officer has taken a toll on Chris Carson's (Martin Freeman) marriage as he gets a new partner, tries to help a young addict (Emily Fairn), and sees a therapist in the British drama series created by Tony Schumacher.
Created By: Tony Schumacher
The Responder
Season 1 Premiere: Jan 24, 2022
88
7.2
Where to Watch
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Summary Working as a Liverpool police officer has taken a toll on Chris Carson's (Martin Freeman) marriage as he gets a new partner, tries to help a young addict (Emily Fairn), and sees a therapist in the British drama series created by Tony Schumacher.
Created By: Tony Schumacher
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
88
85% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
15% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
88
85% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
15% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Returned with as much, if not more, swagger and some of the least predictable dialogue you will find in a cop show. Its trump card is never the plot (drugs, guns, hard-faced dealers — meh) but the characters and its darkly comical vignettes.
It’s another matchless piece, in other words. A triumph for all involved.
Freeman, though, absolutely bosses this role. ... It’s an accomplished script for a debut writer, with a plot that is never predictable. The supporting cast is uniformly good.
An astoundingly tough, vigorous, sinewy thing without a wasted word or moment. Freeman – who must have fallen on it like a hungry dog – does every bit of it justice. ... The Responder is as fast and riveting as a thriller and as harrowing as a documentary.
It is relentless and grim and that is arguably the point of such brutally honest storytelling.
If the only reason why you watch The Responder is to see Martin Freeman barely hold it together, then it’s a pretty good reason to watch the show. The rest of the plot is incidental to a performance by Freeman that utilizes all of his copious ability to be the aggrieved everyman who’s ready to crack at any moment.
The drama is very much dominated by Freeman, almost everyone else acting as mere feeders for his trademark mannerisms. That is, apart from the formidable Rita Tushingham in a cameo as his old mam.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 49 User Ratings
7.2
82% Positive
40 Ratings
40 Ratings
6% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
12% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 49 User Ratings
7.2
82% Positive
40 Ratings
40 Ratings
6% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
12% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
I know, you see the cover and you think "how can I take Bilbo Baggins seriously as a cop? What is this, Hobbiton PD?" but Martin Freeman really shines as a believable, rough street cop in Liverpool. I hope they come out with more seasons as I like the dynamic between him and Adelayo Adedayo, even though I couldn't stand her character at first. I guess you weren't supposed to and their relationship is hard-won. Shout out to Emily Fairn too, who I'd love to see more of, and the rest of the cast. This is a great cop drama!
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A gritty police drama with a distinct Liverpool feel and a bigger focus on corruption, The Responder makes for good viewing without being anything groundbreaking. As a big fan of Sherlock, I'm happy to see Martin Freeman top billing a show, and he puts on a great performance as flawed copper Chris Carson. As with other recent British dramas, I was surprised to see a second series for The Responder, but it provided another interesting storyline. Worth a viewing for anyone into British police dramas, but it's no Line of Duty.
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Production Company:
- Dancing Ledge Productions
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
- Liverpool Film Office
Initial Release Date: Jan 24, 2022
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
BAFTA Awards
• 7 Nominations
Royal Television Society, UK
• 2 Nominations
International Emmy Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination