It’s led by a career-best performance from Martin Freeman, who initially has his work cut out to erase the vestiges of friendlier past roles. After a period of adjustment for viewers to get used to Chris’ dangerous energy and Scouse accent coming out of Freeman, it all just works. Freeman’s always offered a good line in exasperation and contained rage, now he only has to convince us that could bubble over into real violence, and he does. His knack for comedic delivery is another boon in a series leavened by humour.

The supporting cast is also strong, from newcomers Emily Fairn and Josh Finan as chaotic youngsters Casey and Marco, to veterans Rita Tushingham as Chris’ mother and David Bradley as homeless eccentric Davey. Adelayo Adedayo is a real highlight as PC Rachel Hargreaves, a deadpan new recruit on her own conflicted journey.

Rachel’s story is well-acted but underfed. With six episodes instead of five, perhaps more time could have been devoted to exploring her experience, and those of the other women orbiting Chris. We could know more about wife Kate, played by MyAnna Buring, about her best friend Ellie, about Jodie, the wife of local drug dealer Karl, and about Chris’ former colleague Deb Barnes. What that slight frustration really translates to is a need for a second series with this talented cast.

In many ways, the premise is a familiar one: a hardened maverick cop paired with a by-the-books rookie. What The Responder does with that premise though, is exhilarating. The writing’s sharp, the plotting avoids contrivance and Schumacher’s dialogue sings. His perspective is grimly realistic but lightened by absurdity – the cache of garden gnomes being dutifully checked into a station evidence room, the aforementioned Yorkshire terrier, a priest named Father Liam Neeson… There’s life and colour and piss-taking in almost every exchange, while the direction and photography place us right in the chaos of the city at night.

Without getting on its soap box, The Responder makes implicit, pervasive protest against a grim reality that’s recognisable to anybody who’s worked in the underfunded, understaffed, under-supported and overloaded public service. Beneath this slick thriller with substance is the reality that Chris is as much a product of a system on its knees as Marco, Casey, Davey and the rest of them. Series two please.

All episodes of The Responder are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

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