The Responder's Martin Freeman says 'I got away with it' as he issues verdict on Scouse accent

The first series of the BBC's gritty police drama The Responder offered a frank and honest insight into the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British law enforcement.

Penned by former police officer Tony Schumacher, it stars Sherlock's Martin Freeman. The 52-year-old plays Chris Carson, a crisis-stricken and morally compromised urgent response officer on the beat in Liverpool who is trying to keep his head above water alongside his partner Rachel, played by Adelayo Adedayo.

The first series ended with Chris heavily traumatised, dishevelled, confused and shocked by things that he has done and lies he had told. Now the show is back for a second series, set six months after the events of the series finale.

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The new episodes will see Chris attempt to repair relationships, rebuild his life and avoid the corruption that nearly sucked him in last time and Rachel starts to realise she's got more in common with Chris than she'd ever want to admit. As star Freeman reprises his role, he explains to PA how Chris's journey continues...

HOW WAS IT COMING BACK TO PLAY CHRIS AND WHAT IS IT THAT GETS YOU BACK INTO CHARACTER?

It's the accent and the uniform I move differently and speak differently. Any accent you do, it's a physical act and creates a chain reaction from what you're creating vocally to the rest of you and the uniform is a big help, it changes how I move and walk because it is so cumbersome and it's not comfortable.

WERE YOU PLEASED AT THE REACTION TO YOUR SCOUSE ACCENT?

It was a massive relief! It still gives me real joy when I hear people say, "I didn't know Martin was a Scouser", and when Scouse people say to me "I didn't know you were from here", that's the best. It's like being a double agent, I got away with it!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT CHRIS AS A CHARACTER TO PLAY?

The reason I wanted to play Chris is that he is a great mixture of vulnerability and strength. I think there is something about a man of few words that is attractive.

There's a reason why people like characters that don't have to over-explain themselves and I think Chris is one of them. What I like about this show is that we weren't judging him.

You don't always like a person but that doesn't mean you write them off as a human being completely. Chris doesn't always have to be doing the right thing and that appealed to me. He's not super cop but he is essentially a decent person. He is complicated and conflicted.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE AUDIENCE'S REACTION TO THE FIRST SERIES?

We were all thrilled by the first series and had high hopes that we were creating a quality show. There are rare moments in your life, if you're fortunate, when people resonate with something you've created in a way that surpasses your dreams or expectations.

I had a strong belief in the show and felt it was an excellent piece of work. It's one of the most successful projects I've been involved in and I knew within the first five pages that I wanted to portray this character.

WHERE DO WE FIND CHRIS IN SERIES TWO?

Fast forward six months and Chris' relationship with his wife is on the rocks. He adores his daughter, but his marriage is struggling.

His relationship with his job is also at an all-time low and we find him at a point where he's trying to improve his situation. In the first series, we saw him attending therapy sessions provided by the police service but due to underfunding, he now attends a local church men's group led by a priest, Father Liam.

He's making efforts to help himself and find some positivity.

IN SERIES ONE CHRIS CLAIMED THAT ALL HE WANTED TO BE WAS A GOOD BOBBY. WHAT DOES CHRIS ASPIRE TO BE IN SERIES TWO?

Chris aspires to be a responsible father and a happier individual, although he's currently not in the best of spirits, which forms the crux of the story. This narrative isn't solely about Chris but through him, we witness different phases of stress, anger and regret.

Tony splendidly allows his scripts to breathe, which is an aspect I particularly admire. Instead of being overly plot driven, the focus falls on the story and the character development.

Plus, in the second series, we are given an insight into the lives of the characters that we grew fond of in the first series.

WHAT TRANSFORMATION HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIS AND HIS FORMER PARTNER RACHEL UNDERGONE SINCE THE FIRST SERIES?

There has been a subtle amelioration in Chris and Rachel's relationship; they appear to be growing closer. The lines of contention between them seem to be gradually diminishing, resulting in a more agreeable interaction.

Their bond has evolved to a point where they can appreciate each other's personalities saying: "You're all right, you're a good person." It may not sound excessively dramatic, but it feels genuine.

For these reasons among others, their mutual respect for each other is something I highly value. When we first met them, Rachel doesn't want to be mentored by Chris because he's a mess.

She's just come out of college and she's on probation and is still thinking she can do it by the book and Chris is in no doubt that you can't do it like that. In series one they are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but in this series that has all changed. Chris is wanting to be better a better dad, a better copper but Rachel is deeply struggling and isn't playing it by the book any more.

So they are at the other ends of the spectrum.

The Responder returns to BBC One on May 5 at 9pm. Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here.