The Responder viewers pay tribute to Bernard Hill's final performance on day of his death
The Lord Of The Rings star died in the early hours of Sunday morning before the new series of the police drama launched on BBC One.
What did you miss?
Viewers of the BBC drama The Responder paid tribute to actor Bernard Hill which featured one of the actor's final performances, and 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.
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 frail 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 remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent. From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honoured 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 wrote on social media platform X: "Couldn’t have had a more perfect tribute for Bernard Hill. Brilliant two-hander scene with Martin Freeman. Great writing @tonyshoey #TheResponder."
Another commented: "Strange seeing Bernard Hill appear in #TheResponder as Martin Freeman’s dad on the day he passed away. RIP Yosser."
One viewer shared: "Very odd, I was watching the #TheResponder tonight on the telly. I went is that Bernard Hill, nah says I, then f*** yes says I. It was weird. but wonderful to see Bernard Hill on the telly on the very day that his death was announced. RIP [Sir] Bernard Hill."
Another posted: "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 egg and chips! God bless."
And one confessed: "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 tweeted: "Martin Freeman is phenomenal, love him that scouse accent is unbelievable #TheResponder" Another said: "Just finished watching series 2 of #TheResponder genuinely amazing drama, fantastic accent from Martin Freeman & what an ending. Emotionally drained." And another exclaimed: "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.
Read more: Bernard Hill
Bernard Hill death: Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor dies aged 79 (Independent, 3 min read)
Lord of the Rings cast pay tribute to co-star Bernard Hill following his death (Digital Spy, 2 min read)
Bernard Hill was 'a natural' for Blackstuff part (BBC News, 2 min read)
