What did you miss?
The Responder viewers paid tribute to actor Bernard Hill, whose final performance aired on the day of his death.
The actor – known for Lord of The Rings, Titanic and Boys From The Black Stuff – died at the age of 79 in the early hours of Sunday morning, 5 May. His final appearance, alongside Martin Freeman in the new series of the BBC police drama, aired later that day.
Viewers found it bittersweet to see Hill acting opposite Martin Freeman in The Responder as the first episode of the new series launched the day Hill’s death was announced. The actor’s performance was celebrated at the same time that his death was mourned by fans.
What, how, and why?
Hill’s death at the age of 79 in the early hours of Sunday morning was announced by his agent Lou Coulson. His fiancee Alison and his son Gabriel were with him at the time. He starred opposite Freeman in BBC Sunday night drama The Responder as Tom Carson, the friar father of Freeman’s character, police officer Chris.
The Responder director Lindsay Salt said in a statement: “Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and notable roles is a testament to his incredible talent. From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honored to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”
Viewers paid tribute to Hill as they watched his final performance air on the very day that he had died. Some were even in tears.
One https://twitter.com/JoyKluver/status/1787227669353971920 on social media platform https://twitter.com/Glen_Binnie/status/1787220355737620889: “Strange seeing Bernard Hill appear in #TheResponder as Martin Freeman’s dad on the day he passed away. RIP Yosser.” One viewer https://twitter.com/PabloAllelli/status/1787234066225394142: “Very odd, I was watching the #TheResponder tonight on the telly. I went is that Bernard Hill, nah says I, then feck yes says I. It was weird. but wonderful to see Bernard Hill on the telly on the very day that his death was announced. R.I.P. [Sir] Bernard Hill.” Another https://twitter.com/Bunglebob66/status/1787242883788996731: “The fantastic #theresponderreturned tonight and surprised/ stunned to see #BernardHill in it. He’ll always be Yosser Hughes to me and Shirley Valentines husband. “I don’t want bloody eggs and chips! God bless” And one https://twitter.com/AnotherCinna/status/1787251189693723098: “The saddest pleasure to say farewell to Bernard Hill, and he’s at work in #TheResponder. Super #trooper. #TheShowMustGoOn.”
Watch: Bernard Hill: Lord Of The Rings and Titanic actor dies aged 79
Manchester-born Hill was known for playing the captain in Hollywood movie Titanic, as well as Theoden, King of Rohan, in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. He appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in 1999 film True Crime and he is celebrated for playing Yosser Hughes in seminal 80s British TV series Boys From The Black stuff. The show, written by Liverpudlian playwright Alan Bleasdale, told the series of five unemployed men living in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain. Hill played Yosser, a Scouse father driven to the edge by his difficult circumstances.
What else happened on The Responder?
Freeman won praise for his Liverpool accent in the show.
One viewer https://twitter.com/Lauz_79/status/1787257326916849776: “Martin Freeman is phenomenal, love him that scouse accent is unbelievable #TheResponder” Another https://twitter.com/FrontBottom2/status/1787286711204004207: “Just finished watching series 2 of #TheResponder genuinely amazing drama, fantastic accent from Martin Freeman & what an ending. Emotionally drained.” And another https://twitter.com/Lolisa46/status/1787225538970411325: “I am in love with Martin Freeman’s scouse accent #TheResponder”
Hampshire-born Freeman told the BBC that he was relieved with the reaction to his Scouse accent in the first series. He said: “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!”
The Responder airs on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday. All episodes of series 2 are available to stream on iPlayer.
