The Responder: The True Story Behind BBC Drama Series

Set on the streets of Liverpool, urgent response officer Carson takes on the night shift and witnesses horrific crimes in local communities.

But the series, which has received acclaim from viewers and critics alike, is actually based on the real life experiences of screenwriter, series creator and author Tony Schumacher. 

Before making the transition to primetime television, Schumacher worked for 11 years on the streets of Liverpool as a first responder. His experience was so distressing he had a nervous breakdown which led to him becoming homeless. 

"You are only ever going to deliver bad news in this job; so it’s a big responsibility to take on but conversely, it’s incredibly exciting.

"Occasionally, you do things that change people's lives be it saving someone’s life or locking up a criminal – you and your colleagues are working all night, every night and living constantly on your wits."

Tony left the role in 2006 due to the pressure from the job. He eventually went on to publish his first novel titled The Darkest Hour after a period of homelessness. This was followed by his self-published book Rear View Mirror: Stories from the Streets and the Night, a retelling of his experiences as an officer and taxi driver in Liverpool. 

The Responder also stars Adelayo Adedayo, MyAnna Burin, Ian Hart, Warren Brown, and Josh Finan - to name a few.

The Responder continues Mondays and Tuesdays on BBC One at 9pm. You can binge all five episodes on BBC iPlayer.