Sherlock star Martin Freeman is filming The Responder - a Liverpool-set police drama for BBC One.
The new series from former police officer-turned-writer Tony Schumacher sees Freeman play Chris, "a crisis-stricken, morally compromised, unconventional urgent response officer tackling a series of night shifts on the beat in Liverpool".
"Whilst trying to keep his head above water both personally and professionally, Chris is forced to take on a new rookie partner, Rachel (Adelayo Adedayo)," says the BBC.
"Both soon discover that survival in this high-pressure, relentless, night-time world will depend on them either helping or destroying each other.
We're well on the way!
— Tony Schumacher (@tonyshoey) March 17, 2021
There's some amazing people doing amazing work that you are going to love!#TheResponder #MartinFreeman #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/jD9gahltnJ
"The Responder holds a mirror up to the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing - sometimes darkly funny, sometimes painfully tragic, always challenging."
Commenting on his decision to star in Schumacher's first original series for television, Freeman said: "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."
"No-one writes like Tony..."
— Tony Schumacher (@tonyshoey) May 20, 2021
I can't make up my mind if this is good, or if it is bad.... https://t.co/A3KreSer51
"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 continued. "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."
