Detective Jim Bergerac is set to return to the island of Jersey, as UKTV announces the commission of a re-imagined six-episode series of classic police drama ‘Bergerac‘ for UKTV Play and UKTV’s Drama channel.
Written by Toby Whithouse (The Red King, Being Human), alongside Brian Fillis (Trust, Sirens), Catherine Tregenna (The One That Got Away, Three Pines) and Polly Buckle (Love Rat, A Discovery of Witches), the new series will be based on the original show created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran for nine series on the BBC between 1981 and 1991. The modern re-imagining will honour the iconic detective drama, but with a contemporary twist, as Bergerac is thrown into a knotty, high-stakes police investigation and challenged to his very core. He will be forced to confront his demons, while trying to save his family and career.
“It’s a rare honour to bring back a show as beloved and iconic as Bergerac,” said Toby Whithouse. “Our mission was always to respect the show’s history and legacy while making it impactful and relevant for a modern-day audience. We’ll be bringing back other beloved supporting characters, as well as introducing new friends and foes. Just like his predecessor, our Bergerac is complex, driven, brilliant and flawed.”
There is one key change from the original 80s hit, which had the iconic detective solve a “murder of the week”. The new series will see one character-led murder mystery run across all six episodes, in place of a new storyline each episode. No news yet on who will fill the detective’s shoes.
‘Bergerac’ has been commissioned by Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning for UKTV, and ordered by Paula Fitzgerald, head of digital content for UKTV Play, and Emma Ayech, channel director for Drama. Executive producers for BlackLight TV are Ben Bickerton, Philip Trethowan and Toby Whithouse. Brian Constantine is executive producer for Westward Studios. Helen Perry, head of drama, will be executive producer for UKTV.
“We are thrilled to be working with UKTV to bring Jim Bergerac back to the small screen where he belongs,” adds production company BlackLight TV. “Toby Whithouse has created a propulsive contemporary crime story that delves into Bergerac’s rich and complex character, and will keep audiences guessing until the end. We’re sure it will delight old and new fans alike.”
‘Bergerac‘ Season 1 begins filming this summer, so won’t land until late 2024 at the earliest, but more likely to drop in 2025 on UKTV Play, and Drama. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
