Viewers react to Martin Freeman’s performance and accent in new BBC drama The Responder

Virgin Radio

25 Jan 2022, 08:23

We might be used to seeing him looking bemused in The Office, befuddled in Fargo, angry in Breeders, and hairy-footed in The Hobbit, but Martin Freeman showed another new side to himself last night, and fans loved it. 

New BBC police drama, The Responder, saw the actor play first responder Chris, who, as well as having an incredibly stressful job on the front line of the force, was also dealing with mental health issues and marital problems. The synopsis of the show reads: "Under pressure, fraying at the edges. In relentless night-time Liverpool, copper Chris is paired with a rookie. Will they save or destroy each other?"

As you would expect, Freeman gave a cracking performance as a copper whose job is to respond to emergency calls, but what you might not expect is that he delivered his lines with a flawless Liverpudlian accent.

Viewers took to social media to heap praise on Freeman, saying how impressed they were at his voice work. 

One wrote: “It’s rare for a non-Scouser to nail the accent but Martin Freeman is absolutely superb. Always thought he was a great actor & this totally confirmed it. Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.”

Someone else said: “Martin Freeman does the best scouse accent I have ever heard a non-scouser do.”

Another Twitter user added: “Martin Freeman’s scouse accent is spot on. Non native accents usually give me itchy teeth but this was seriously impressive.”

However, others felt the role would have been better suited to a different actor: One person wrote: “Martin Freeman is always brilliant but three mins in and this part feels like it has Stephen Graham’s name all over it.”

Another added: “Martin Freeman playing a Scouse police officer. I presume Stephen Graham was busy."

Many people though, said Freeman was great in the opening episode of the drama. 

One Twitter user wrote: “The Responder on BBC 1 was brilliant. Great writing, acting and Direction. Gritty but laugh out loud funny in places. Outstanding performance from Martin Freeman.

Another agreed, saying: “Martin Freeman absolutely killing it in #TheResponder. Looks like BBC have another cracker on their hands.”

The Responder continues tonight (Tuesday January 25) at 9pm on BBC One. Episodes 1-5 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.