The BBC and Dancing Ledge Productions have started filming The Responder, in Liverpool.
Written by former police officer, Tony Schumacher, it stars Martin Freeman as a “crisis-stricken, morally compromised, unconventional urgent response officer.”
“My fantasy casting when I was writing the character of Chris in the Responder was Martin Freeman,” said Schumacher.
“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.”
Freeman’s Chris is working a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool and is forced to take on a rookie partner, Rachel (Adelayo Adedayo) and they find out their survival in the job will depend on them either “helping or destroying each other.”
“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,” added Freeman.
Also starring are Ian Hart (Tin Star; The Last Kingdom; The Terror), MyAnna Buring (The Salisbury Poisonings; The Witcher; Ripper Street), Kerrie Hayes (Tin Star; The English Game; The Mill) and Warren Brown (Luther; Liar; Strike Back).
The 5 x 60 minute series is directed by Tim Mielants (The Terror; Legion; Peaky Blinders) and produced by Rebecca Ferguson (The Trial Of Christine Keeler; Cold Feet; Next Of Kin).
The Responder has secured funding and support from the Liverpool Film Office through the LCR Production Fund.
