BBC dramas 'Time', 'The Tourist', 'The Responder' and 'Vigil' are to return for a second series.
![Martin Freeman in The Responder](/image-library/partners/bang/land/1000/m/martin-freeman-aW1hZ2VzMS8yMDIxLzA1LzIwLzE2MjE1MTA2OTZjcm9wc.jpg)
Martin Freeman in The Responder
The prison drama - which starred Stephen Graham and Sean Bean - will be back for another helping, but it will be welcome a new cast and be set in an all-female prison.
Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, said: "The BBC is on fire creatively and the return of four of our biggest dramas over the last year demonstrates the sheer scale and range of storytelling on the BBC."
Last year, 'Vigil' - which starred Suranne Jones and Martin Compston - was the UK’s most-watched new drama launch in three years, since 'Bodyguard' in 2018.
What's more, 2022 dramas 'The Tourist' - which stars Jamie Dornan and is the highest-rating drama of the year so far - and 'The Responder' will also be back for second helpings.
'The Responder' - which features Martin Freeman - is the second biggest new drama of 2022, after launching with nearly 10 million viewers across 30 days.
The second season will once again be set and filmed in Liverpool.
Last May, Martin - who plays Chris, an unconventional urgent response officer tackling night shifts in Liverpool - previously praised the 'The Responder' writer Tony Schumacher for his "unique and honest" scripts.
He said: "Tony Schumacher’s scripts were so unique and honest that I knew very quickly that I wanted to be a part of 'The Responder' and take on the role of Chris.
"No one writes like Tony and it has been exhilarating inhabiting the world he has created.”
Writer Tony admitted Martin was top of his wish list when it came to casting his lead character.
He added: "My fantasy casting when I was writing the character of Chris in the Responder was Martin Freeman.
"Seeing that fantasy become reality is beyond exciting. Martin is one of the great British actors.
"He brings such a well of talent and humanity that breathes magic into the words I've been lucky enough to give him.
"I can’t wait for audiences to get to see his performance in this role, it’s one I feel very lucky to have had a front row seat for.”
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