The Responder with Martin Freeman 'shelved' despite huge success
Martin Freeman played the role of PC Chris Carson
The BBC have enjoyed an array of super popular dramas over the last few years, resulting in some record breaking viewing figures. Despite shows like Blue Lights and Vigil being renewed for further series, it sounds like Martin Freeman's The Responder, which has so far had two instalments, won't be returning any time soon.
Will there be a third series?
Although nothing has been 100% confirmed by the BBC, reports are rife that The Responder has been 'rested' for the time being, due to creator Tony Schumacher's busy schedule.
As we wait for any further information, here's everything you need to know about the popular crime drama.
When was The Responder on TV?
Series one of The Responder started on 24th January 2022, with series two hitting our screens on Sunday 5th May 2024.
Who is in the cast?
Martin Freeman, Adelayo Adedayo, MyAnna Buring, Warren Brown, Josh Finan, Emily Fairn, Philip S McGuinness, Faye McKeever, Mark Womack, and Amaka Okafo all feature in series one and two.
Chernobyl actor Adam Nagaitis, Lord of the Rings star Bernard Hill, and Tin Star's Ian Pulston-Davies all joined the cast for series two.
How many episodes?
Series one and two are both made up of five X 60 minute episodes.
How can I watch it?
The Responder is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
Where was it filmed?
Both series were filmed in Liverpool, England.
Filming for series two kicked off on Tuesday 5th September 2023.
What was series one about?
Series one of popular drama series, which aired in 2022, follows Martin Freeman's character PC Chris Carson as he tries to patrol the streets of Liverpool, whilst also battling with his own demons and personal issues.
Check out the trailer for series one below:
What was series two about?
The BBC say of series two: 'Series two joins Chris Carson six months on from series one. Chris is attempting to rebuild his life, and his relationships, desperate to avoid the corruption that nearly sucked him under. He is trying to be a better police officer, a better man, and most importantly, a better father to his daughter Tilly. All whilst still dealing with the relentless trauma of being a night response officer. Chris wants a day job. Chris needs a day job. But is he prepared to risk everything to get one? Rachel Hargreaves is putting her life back together too.
'She’s still fuming at the way Chris dragged her down with him into the dirt in series one, and now she’s desperately trying to take control of a life and a career that sometimes feels like it’s slipping away. But after working with a succession of ‘normal’ coppers, Rachel is starting to realise she’s got more in common with Chris than she’d ever want to admit. As they are sucked back together, and into the night, they must pull each other back into the light. But then a routine stop on a black Range Rover changes everything, and suddenly the darkness beckons once again.'
Speaking about the second series, writer Tony Schumacher said: "Throwing myself back into the world of The Responder has been such a ride over this last year or so. Gathering the characters old and new around me has been a delight, and finally getting to see these people brought to life by so many incredible people fills me with genuine excitement. I just can't wait for you to see them too!"
Check out the trailer for series two below:
Check out which other TV crime dramas you need to binge right now:
Mr Bates vs The Post Office (ITVX and STV Player)
Arriving in early 2024, Mr Bates vs The Post Office is a four-part series based on the real-life story of postmaster Alan Bates, who led the campaign to expose what is considered the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history. Toby Jones, Katherine Kelly, Will Mellor, and Julie Hesmondhalgh all appear.
Kin (BBC iPlayer)
Series one of Irish drama Kin landed on BBC iPlayer in 2023 and viewers have been hooked since! Starring Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne and Emmett J. Scanlan, the drama tells the story of a fictional Dublin family embroiled in gangland war and speaks to the enduring unbreakable bonds of blood and family. Series two is also now available on BBC iPlayer.
Joan (ITVX and STV Player)
Six-part drama Joan was written by Anna Symon and is set against the vibrant and aspirational backdrop of 1980s London. Inspired by the real Joan Hannington and certain events from her life, this exhilarating and emotional drama unravels the life of a 'MOTHER. LOVER. LIAR. THIEF', played by actress Sophie Turner.
All six episodes are now available on ITVX and STV Player.
Red Eye (ITVX and STV Player)
Starring Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi, ITV/STV's adrenaline-filled drama Red Eye is set on an overnight flight from London to Beijing and the corridors of power within Whitehall. Fans were quick to binge the six-part drama when it aired in April 2024. The series how now been renewed for a second series, set to air in 2025 with Martin Compston joining the cast.
Vigil (BBC iPlayer)
It was the BBC's most-watched new drama of 2021, so you don't want to miss out on Vigil, starring Suranne Jones and Martin Compston. Series two was released in December 2023, with all episodes now available to binge. In February 2025, BBC bosses announced the show has been renewed for a third series.
Until I Kill You (ITVX and STV Player)
Starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Until I Kill You is based on the extraordinary true story of Delia Balmer, who survived a near-fatal relationship with serial killer John Sweeney. The four-part drama started in November 2024, with all episodes now available on ITVX and STV Player.
Nightsleeper (BBC iPlayer)
Starring Joe Cole and Alexandra Roach, Nightsleeper is a six-part thiller Nightsleeper follows a 'hackjacked' train which is being driven through one single night from Glasgow to London. All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer now.
Love & Death (ITVX and STV Player)
Starring Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons, Love & Death is a mini-series which follows the real-life story of the murder case surrounding Candy Montgomery, who killed her friend Betty Gore, following an affair with her husband Allan.
Candy (Channel 4)
Based on the same story as ITV drama Love & Death, Candy stars Jessica Biel, Melanie Lynskey and Pablo Schreiber, based on the shocking real-life story of a murder that shattered a small Texas town in 1980.
The Tourist (BBC iPlayer)
Viewers were hooked on BBC series The Tourist in early 2022, starring Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan. Series two landed on New Year's Day in 2024, with all episode available to binge now.
After the Flood (ITVX and STV Player)
Landing on ITV/STV in the first few weeks of January 2024, After the Flood stars Peaky Blinders actress Sophie Rundle as PC Joanna Marshall. The six-part series follows Joanna leading an investigation after she finds an identified man dead in a lift in a underground car park after a devastating flood.
Trigger Point (ITVX and STV Player)
Vicky McClure plays the role of EXPO officer Lana Washington in high octane drama Trigger Point. All six episodes from series one are available to watch now, with series two also now out on ITVX and STV Player. In October 2024, news was announced that the show has been commissioned for a third series, with filming due to take place in 2025.
Blue Lights (BBC iPlayer)
Set and filmed in Northern Ireland, Blue Lights follows three rookie police officers working in Belfast. All episodes of series one are available to stream, as is series two which was released in April 2024.The show will return for a third and fourth series.
The Wives (Channel 5)
The Wives is a six-part whodunnit style drama which aired on Channel 5 in mid-September 2024, with a star-studded cast including Jo Joyner, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Angela Griffin. All episodes are available to stream now on My 5.
The Fall (BBC iPlayer)
Despite originally airing in 2013, The Fall, starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, became a big hit again during lockdown in 2020, and now all three series of the hit show are available to binge on the BBC iPlayer.
The Teacher (Channel 5)
After series aired in 2022, featuring Sheridan Smith, series two of Channel 5 drama The Teacher aired in September 2024. Series two features Will Mellor, Kara Tointon and Emmett J. Scanlan. All episodes from both series are available on My5 now.
The Long Shadow (ITVX and STV Player)
The Long Shadow follows the five-year manhunt for the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, commonly referred to as The Yorkshire Ripper. The seven-part drama stars the likes of Katherine Kelly, Charley Webb, Mark Stobbart, Liz White and Toby Jones.
Inside Man (BBC iPlayer)
Starring David Tennant and Stanley Tucci, BBC drama Inside Man has left viewers on the edge of their seats with lots of twists and turns.
The Suspect (ITVX and STV Player)
Aidan Turner stars clinical psychologist Dr Joe O'Loughlin in ITV/STV drama The Suspect.
The Capture (BBC iPlayer)
After series one aired in 2019, the BBC released series two of hit drama The Capture in 2022, featuring Holliday Grainger, Ron Perlman and Lia Williams.
You can watch both series now on BBC iPlayer.
Karen Pirie (ITVX and STV Player)
Debuting in early September, drama Karen Pirie has been a massive hit with fans, as Karen and her team must overcome the judgement of her superiors and find the culprit in time.
Crossfire (BBC iPlayer)
Keeley Hawes stars in BBC drama Crossfire which sees a holiday turn from heaven to hell with a gunshot - and the consequences will linger long after the final bullets are fired.
The Responder (BBC iPlayer)
The drama follows Martin Freeman's character, a night-shift copper under stress in Liverpool, as he pairs up with the local rookie. Series one dropped in 2022, with series two landing in 2024.
All episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Happy Valley (BBC iPlayer)
Now the third and final series has come to an end, you can watch series one-three on the BBC iPlayer now.
Manhunt: The Night Stalker (ITVX and STV Player)
Martin Clunes plays the role of Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton as he portrays the real-life investigation into the serial burglar and rapist who terrorised South London for 17 years.
Time (BBC iPlayer)
Originally airing on the BBC in June 2021, fans were loving this drama featuring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. In 2023, a second series landed, this time taking place in an all-female prison, starring Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsay, and Siobhan Finneran.
All episodes from both series are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Marcella (ITVX and STV Player)
Following the cliffhanger ending to series three of ITV's hit drama Marcella, fans are crying out for a fourth series. Although nothing has been confirmed just yet, you can re-watch series three on ITVX/STV Player.
Coma (Channel 5)
Hitting our screens in March 2024, Coma is a four-part thriller which concerns a family man whose life is changed after making one split-second decision. Jason Watkins and Claire Skinner star in the series.
Deadwater Fell (All4)
Channel 4 delighted us with dark crime thriller Deadwater Fell in 2020, starring David Tennant, Cush Jumbo, Matthew McNulty and Anna Madeley. Series one is available to watch on All4.
The Bay (ITVX and STV Player)
There's so far been four successful series of The Bay, with series five landing in March 2025. All episodes are now available on ITVX and STV Player.
Bloodlands (BBC iPlayer)
Created by Line of Duty writer Jed Mercurio and starring Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt, Bloodlands was a big hit at the start of 2021. All episodes from series one are available on the BBC iPlayer now.
The Missing (BBC iPlayer)
Another hit crime drama by the talented brothers Harry and Jack Williams. The Missing first aired in 2014, with series 2 landing two years later. Despite both series following different stories, a number of characters remain the same, including Tchéky Karyo as investigator Julien Baptiste. Both series are now available on the BBC iPlayer.
Luther (BBC iPlayer)
As we wait for any more series of hit crime drama Luther, re-watch all six series with actor Idris Elba playing the role of DCI John Luther.
Unforgotten (ITVX and STV Player)
You can catch up on all six previous series of crime drama Unforgotten, before series seven lands in 2026.
The Bridge (BBC iPlayer)
Originally released back in 2011 in Sweden and Denmark, all four series of The Bridge are now available on the BBC iPlayer.
The Pembrokeshire Murders (ITVX and STV Player)
Featuring popular actor Luke Evans as Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins, this three-part miniseries based on the real life Pembrokeshire murders by Welsh serial killer John Cooper is available to watch now.
The Investigation (BBC iPlayer)
Originally from Denmark, series 1 of BBC drama The Investigation is based on the real-life murder case of Swedish journalist Kim Wall in 2017. All six episodes are available now on the BBC iPlayer.
Vera (ITVX and STV Player)
Fans catch catch Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope in all 13 series.
Silent Witness (BBC iPlayer)
If you are looking for something to keep you going for a while, Silent Witness is certainly a good shout! A massive 23 series of the hit show are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.
Line of Duty (BBC iPlayer)
If you fancy re-watching the previous series of Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty, you can binge series one-six on the BBC iPlayer now!
Better (BBC iPlayer)
Debuting on the BBC in February 2023, Leeds-based drama Better is 'a thrilling redemption story' featuring Leila Farzad as DCI Lou Slack, and Andrew Buchan as Col McHugh.
Litvinenko (ITVX and STV Player)
Starring David Tennant, this four-part ITVX/STV Player drama documents the story of the murder of Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Love Rat (Channel 5)
Sally Lindsay and Neil Morrissey appear in Channel 5 drama Love Rat, which first aired in March 2024. All four episodes are available to binge now.
The Responder is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer now.
Now read:
BBC bosses confirm Blue Lights is getting a 3rd and 4th series
All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return
Vigil renewed for third series with Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie
Rayo Premium