The mid-2020s will see a fresh wave of British remakes, as familiar TV series from the 1970s and 80s are reimagined for modern audiences. Building on the success of recent reboots like Poldark, which reignited interest in classic television, these new versions promise to bring nostalgic favorites to a new generation. Among them is Bergerac, the iconic 1980s detective series that helped catapult John Nettles to fame. Originally set in Jersey, the series introduced viewers to Jim Bergerac, a troubled detective whose personal demons and unique investigative style captivated audiences.
This reimagined version of Bergerac, which will debut on U&Drama in February 2025, takes inspiration from the original but updates the formula to align with contemporary TV standards. Gone are the traditional case-of-the-week storylines, replaced by a more serialized approach where each season centers around a single murder mystery—a shift inspired by the success of modern hits like Unforgotten. The series will follow the character of Jim Bergerac, portrayed by Damien Molony (Being Human), as he navigates the complexities of his work and personal life, much like his predecessor.
The reboot retains many elements from the original, including Bergerac’s struggle with mental health issues, his physical injuries from his work as a detective, and his battle with alcoholism—traits that made him a memorable, flawed protagonist. As in the original series, Bergerac will leave his position with the Le Bureau des Étrangers (The Foreigners’ Office) in the States of Jersey Police to become a private investigator. The series will explore how his troubled past continues to shape his relationships and investigative approach.
Molony will be joined by an accomplished cast, including Zoë Wanamaker (Black Ops) as his mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford, Chloé Sweetlove (The Crow Girl) as his daughter Kim, and Sasha Behar (Foundation) as his boss Uma Dalal. The supporting cast features Philip Glenister (Steeltown Murders) as Arthur Wakefield, Pippa Haywood (Bodyguard) as Margaret Heaton, and Robert Gilbert (Big Boys) as Barney Crozier. Additional cast members include Timothy Renouf (A Very British Scandal) as Julien Wakefield and Celine Arden (Bridgerton) as Kara.
The series is created by Toby Whithouse (Being Human), with contributions from writers Brian Fillis, Catherine Tregenna, and Polly Buckle. Directors Colm McCarthy and Sean Spencer will share duties across the six-episode series, with Clare Alan producing. Whithouse, along with Ben Bickerton, Philip Trethowan, Brian Constantine, and Helen Perry, will executive produce for BlackLight TV, Westward Studios, and UKTV.
For UK viewers, Bergerac will be available to stream for free on U&Drama, marking another significant addition to the growing collection of reboots on British TV. Although an American distributor has yet to be announced, all nine seasons of the original Bergerac are currently available on BritBox, leaving open the possibility that the new version may also find its way to the platform.
As the trend of reimagining beloved shows continues to rise, Bergerac stands as another testament to the enduring appeal of these classic stories, now ready for a contemporary audience.
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