Filming gets underway for BBC’s The Responder series 2

Filming for the second series of multi award-winning BBC drama The Responder has begun in Liverpool this week.

Supported by the Liverpool Film Office, The Responder 2 will pick up Chris Carson, played by Martin Freeman, six months later as he attempts to rebuild his life and will be shot across the Liverpool City Region.

Penned by friend of the Film Office and fellow scouser Tony Schumacher, the second series certainly promises to continue with the success of the first which saw 9.6m viewers tune in to its first episode.

Also reprising their roles in the second series; Adelayo Adedayo (Unsaid Stories; Timewasters), MyAnna Buring (The Salisbury Poisonings; The Witcher), Warren Brown (Ten Pound Poms; Luther), Josh Finan (Baby Reindeer; The Gentlemen), Emily Fairn (Mary & George; Black Mirror – Demon 79), Philip S McGuinness (The Batman; The Alienist), Faye McKeever (A Confession; Little Boy Blue), Mark Womack (The Vanishing Man; Playing the Field) and Amaka Okafo (Bodies; Greatest Days).

Some exciting new additions to the cast of the second series include Adam Nagaitis (The Terror; Chernobyl), Bernard Hill (Wolf Hall; Lord of the Rings (Theoden) Titanic) and Ian Puleston-Davies (Tin Star; Pennyworth).

Speaking about the latest series, 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!”

Toby Bruce, Executive Producer for Dancing Ledge Productions, added: “It’s such an incredible joy, and privilege, to be back working with Tony’s magic scripts, continuing the stories of characters we’ve all fallen in love with. Martin Freeman as Chris, and Adelayo as Rachel, both have the ability to be emotional lightning rods and we couldn’t be more excited to bring them, and the rest of our amazing cast, back together.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “Series one of The Responder gave us a bold and thrilling new take on the police drama, winning five-star reviews and millions of fans on BBC One and iPlayer in the process. It’s a joy to once again partner with Tony, Martin, Adelayo and such a fantastic team to see what’s next for Chris and Rachel.”

The Responder (5×60’) is written by Tony Schumacher and produced by Fremantle-backed Dancing Ledge Productions, who were recently named Production Company of the Year at the Edinburgh Television Awards 2023, for BBC One and iPlayer. It is directed by Jeanette Nordahl, Mounia Akl, and Charlotte Regan. It is produced by Barrington Robinson with Laurence Bowen, Chris Carey and Toby Bruce serving as executive producers for Dancing Ledge Productions. Rebecca Ferguson is the executive producer for the BBC.

Picture: Jim Mulhearn