The BBC's Philippa Thomas on Reeve's comeback

Reeve plays a wheelchair-bound lawyer who is paralysed following a car accident, in a television remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. In the 1954 film, the part was originally played by the actor James Stewart, but is also tailor-made for a disabled actor.

In the TV film the Reeve character starts to spy on his neighbours with a telescope to combat the boredom of being confined to his apartment. He begins to believe that one of them has committed a murder.

The remake was broadcast on Sunday on the US television network ABC.

Reeve, 46, was told he would never work again after his accident. But this is the second time that he has acted since his accident.

He made a brief appearance in another made-for-television film, Step Toward Tomorrow.

In 1996 he also produced his first film, In the Gloaming, for the cable channel HBO.

Acclaimed by critics

"Still a solid actor," according to one review

While critics are divided over quality of the remake, they have acclaimed the talent and courage of the actor.

"Reeve is sensational in a role... that's so intensely personal it took real courage for him to undertake it," said Daily Variety.

The Hollywood Reporter said: "Reeve, even though physically immobile, does an excellent, sometimes wrenching job."

"Despite his physical limitations, Reeve is still a solid actor", said Newsweek magazine, adding that he displays "an impressive array of emotions."

Scriptwriter Eric Overmyer said that the new Rear Window was greatly inspired by Reeve's autobiography, Still Me.