Martin Freeman's accent in The Responder has got people talking
The BBC's latest crime series The Responder has finally landed and it's already a big hit with fans. The police drama stars Martin Freeman as Liverpool-based urgent first responder, and aside from the Line of Duty vibe to the whole thing, it's Freeman's accent during the show that has got people talking.
The new procedural drama follows an urgent first responder named Chris (Freeman) who encounters one crisis after another while training up his new rookie partner Rachel (Adelayo Adedayo), and battling with guilt over some of his actions. The show takes place over a series on night shifts, in which the pair must navigate the high pressure and relentlessness of the each incident while trying to understand each other.
The first episode of the hyped series just aired last night (24 January) and while people were instantly gripped by the story, they were also pretty divided over Freeman's Liverpudlian accent.
While plenty of fans took to Twitter to say how well they thought the Sherlock star executed the accent, others just couldn't get over the fact that it was Freeman doing it.
As a Scouser I always get wound up with non Scouse actors doing the accent.
It's never natural it's always more stereotypical and over exaggerated... but Martin Freeman has done an excellent job there.. #TheResponder— . (@foodblogsLiv) January 24, 2022
Martin Freeman’s scouse accent is spot on. Non native accents usually give me itchy teeth but this was seriously impressive. #TheResponder
— Ruth Worksurface (@RuthWorksurface) January 24, 2022
Us at Martin Freeman’s Scouse accent in #TheResponder pic.twitter.com/vi26ipuv0Z
— Morgers (@goldilocksrocks) January 24, 2022
Don't do a scouse accent... don't do a scouse accent... oh ffs Martin Freeman pic.twitter.com/iKdwHhIW1V
— Laura Robertson 👻 (@doublenegativeL) January 24, 2022
I can't get past Martin Freeman's scouse accent! It should not be making me laugh. 😆 #TheResponder
— Tony Bianchi (@Voltamax2030) January 24, 2022
Meanwhile, others compared the performance to Scouse royalty Stephen Graham, very high praise indeed.
Martin Freeman can really act. He’s doing a great job of playing Stephen Graham rn #theresponder #BBC
— Danny Igoe (@igoe_danny) January 24, 2022
As a non-Scouser I think Martin Freeman's accent is quiet good. Feel like his point of reference was just Stephen Graham in his everyday life #theresponder
— Jenny Kirkham (@PJ_Kirkham) January 24, 2022
According to an interview with Metro, Freeman says he spoke to himself in a Liverpool accent on and off for a year and a half to prepare for the role. That's dedication for you.
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