In late March 2022, the show was renewed for a second series, consisting of five episodes,[3][4] which began airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 5 May 2024.[5] The second series marked the final acting performance of Bernard Hill, who died the day of its release.[6]
Premise
Chris Carson is a police officer in a fictional constabulary covering Liverpool, who has been demoted from his position as an inspector and undertakes a series of night shifts in the city centre. He is a conflicted and compromised man, with somewhat divided loyalties, a desire to do good, but with anger issues brought on by childhood trauma and exacerbated by his experience in the police. Shots of him working are interspersed with scenes at therapy, at home, with his mother in a nursing home, or visiting his estranged father. His partner is Rachel Hargreaves, an inexperienced and idealistic officer who wants to play by the rules but who ultimately dislikes her job.
Series 1
Carl Sweeney is a mid-level drug dealer whose stash of cocaine has been stolen by Casey, a local drug addict. Chris is trying to help Casey and in doing so crosses Carl. Marco is a young friend of Casey's who struggles to meet his daily needs.[7] Chris is pursued by the officer responsible for his demotion, whose motives may not be entirely honest, as part of a corruption probe. The effects of the job and Chris's mental state take a toll on his family.
Series 2
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The series premiered on BBC One on 24 January 2022.[2]
In some international territories, the series was broadcast in a re-edited form consisting of two series of six episodes.[8][9]
The series was shown by Canal Plus in France.[10][11] In Australia, the first season aired on SBS TV and SBS On Demand.[12]
The first episode was watched 6,164,000 times on iPlayer alone during 2022, making it the third most-viewed individual programme on the platform that year.[13]
The original soundtrack, composed by Matthew Herbert, was released by Accidental Editions in March 2022 and includes eighteen tracks.[14]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the first series a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 8.8/10, based on 23 reviews. The critics' consensus reads: "The Responder is unrelentingly dark and inescapably absorbing, with Martin Freeman's hangdog performance carrying the drama".[15] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 87 out of 100, based on 7 reviews.[16]
Rotten Tomatoes gave series 2 a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 9.6/10, based on 15 reviews. The critics' consensus reads: "Putting Martin Freeman's character through the absolute ringer, this second season proves to be as battered, bruised, and resilient as its compelling antihero".[17] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 90 out of 100, based on 6 reviews.[18]
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