A CRIME drama, partly filmed in St Helens, is being billed as one of the BBC’s big shows for 2022.

The Star reported earlier this year how episodes of The Responder were being filmed on location in St Helens as well across Merseyside.

The drama features Hollywood actor Martin Freeman, who portrays Chris, an urgent response police officer.

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Freeman, who rose to fame in BBC show The Office and has gone on to star in films such as Black Panther and the Hobbit, was pictured filming at Taylor Park and streets nearby earlier this year.

The six-part series also features the likes of Adelayo Adedayo (The Capture) and Ian Hart (The Terror).

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It is written by ex-Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher, who spent time working response in St Helens, and is based on his experiences on the job.

The team who made the Salisbury Poisonings drama is behind the production.

Freeman plays an officer on the beat in Liverpool.

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He is on six night shifts in a row, each of which he completes over the course of an episode.

In a statement Schumacher said: "I'm so incredibly fortunate to be writing for a cast as amazing as the one we've assembled for The Responder.

“From legends at the top of their game, to young talents who are legends in waiting, it's a writer's dream come true."

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No release date has been given for the series, but it has prominence on a BBC promotional trailer for what to watch in 2022.

In November a trailer was released for the show.

It confirms that The Responder will be streaming soon on BBC iPlayer as it shows footage of Freeman in dramatic scenes across the city, with his character admits: "I can’t remember the last time I did something good.”