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Another BBC crime drama has captured the attention of fans - and it's available to stream for free now. The Responder premiered in 2022 and follows Chris Carson (played by Martin Freeman), a police officer who gets demoted to an urgent response officer attending emergencies during night shifts in Liverpool. The morally conflicted Caron aims to do good and help people, but his questionable methods and impulsiveness lead him into dangerous territory.

Set over five consecutive nights, Carson teams up with rookie officer, Rachel Hargreaves, portrayed by Adelayo Adedayo. Grappling with his own demons and his deteriorating mental health, Carson must help those in the community while attempting to deal with his personal problems. The Responder was created and written by former Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher, offering a gritty and realistic portrayal of British policing.

It also stars Warren Brown, MyAnna Buring, Emily Fairn, Josh Finan and Mark Womack. The first series received critical acclaim, with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Freeman's performance was highlighted as a standout, with critics hailing his portrayal of Carson as one of the best of his career.

The second series, also consisting of five episodes, aired in 2024. It picks up around six months later, with Carson attempting to rebuild his life after the events of series one. All 10 episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Fans have showered the show with praise, with particular commendation for Freeman's compelling performance.

One wrote: "Absolutely brilliant black humour punctuates this wonderfully tense crime masterpiece. Destined to never break it out in the states but run rings around every American show ever made. Career best performance for Martin Freeman."

Echoing this, a second penned: "Outstanding drama, completely absorbing and probably the best thing I've seen Freeman in. BAFTA without doubt. The incidents played out the ambiguity of some parts of our legal system well and the relentless pressure our police are often under. Adedayo was superb in every way her character developed. I like the comment that this wasn't about procedures, but about how they get eaten alive by the day to day."

Another declared: "This was British television drama at it's very best. Freeman's main character was so brilliantly played the Stephen Graham would have been ideal man for the role idea left my mind almost instantly. His scouse accent was on point and the emotion he conveyed was so real. Freeman apart the whole cast were brilliant. For such a dark subject matter there was also humour liverpudlian style give it a go lad it wont disappoint."

A fourth agreed: "The best role for Martin Freeman so far. The accent is unbelievable, as was his acting, as were all the supporting roles. Gritty, true to life, absorbing and thrilling."