The Fox Tales

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Novel update
  • Novel books
  • Novel story
  • Novel list

The Fox Tales

Header Banner

The Fox Tales

  • Home
  • Novel update
  • Novel books
  • Novel story
  • Novel list
Novel story
Home›Novel story›The real story behind the BBC drama series

The real story behind the BBC drama series

By Jack N. Hernandez
January 26, 2022
0
0

BBC One viewers are totally obsessed with the new drama The answering machine after its Monday night debut and naturally, they want to know all about Martin Freeman’s character, Chris Carson.

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

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

Tony Schumacher created The Responder (Credit: BBC)

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

“When I first joined the police I remember on my second or third night an old bobby called Colin said to me ‘you’ll never knock on somebody’s door to tell them that ‘he won the lottery,’ he told the Echo of Liverpool.

Martin Freeman's character is based on Tony's experiences as a patrol officer. (BBC)
Martin Freeman’s character is based on Tony’s experiences as a patrol officer. (BBC)

“You’re only ever going to break bad news in this job, so it’s a big responsibility to take on, but on the flip side, it’s incredibly exciting.

“Sometimes you do things that change people’s lives, whether it’s saving someone’s life or locking up a criminal – you and your colleagues are working all night, every night and constantly living on your head.”

Tony left the role in 2006 due to work pressure. He eventually published 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, an account of his experiences as an officer and taxi driver in Liverpool.

The Responder takes place in Liverpool (Credit: BBC)
The Responder takes place in Liverpool (Credit: BBC)

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

The answering machine continues Mondays and Tuesdays on BBC One at 9 p.m. You can gorge on all five episodes on BBC iPlayer.

Related posts:

  1. Iraqi History: The Artist’s Impression of Imperialism, of Misery
  2. How a writer created his own version of “A Christmas Story” as a child in Batavia in the 1980s
  3. The Story Behind Terry Pratchett’s The Abominable Snow Baby – Channel 4 Christmas Animation
  4. The Story Behind “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
Tagstakes place

Categories

  • Novel books
  • Novel list
  • Novel story
  • Novel update

Recent Posts

  • Three books about Stalin that shed light on Russian history
  • Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
  • Best Stan shows and movies June 2022: Full list of upcoming Stan shows in June, including All I Know About Love, P-Valley, Queer as Folk (2022) and Becoming Elizabeth
  • The Unexpected Crazy True Story of How Natasha Lance Rogoff Created Sesame Street in Russia
  • Fiction and non-fiction books that navigate the roller coaster of grief

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • May 2018
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • May 2016
  • December 2015
  • September 2015
  • December 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • July 2013
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions