Detective Jim Bergerac is returning to TV screens, with UKTV announcing a reimagined series of the iconic detective drama Bergerac. The six-part series will be produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK, and written by Toby Whithouse, alongside Brian Fillis, Catherine Tregenna, and Polly Buckle. Filming will begin this summer on the Channel Island of Jersey, with casting to be announced in the coming months. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution.
The new series will be based on the original series created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran for nine series on the BBC between 1981 and 1991. While the show will honour the iconic detective drama, it will also feature a contemporary twist. Unlike the original, which featured a new case each episode, the reimagined Bergerac will see one character-led murder mystery unfold across all six episodes.
In a statement, Whithouse commented: “It’s a rare honour to bring back a show as beloved and iconic as Bergerac. 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.”
The central character, Bergerac, will be 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.
The series 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, and Helen Perry, head of drama, will be executive producer for UKTV.
Rosen expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We are delighted to be working with BlackLight TV and Banijay on this re-imagining of a much-loved classic British drama. There is a keen appetite for UKTV Original dramas, as seen by the stellar performance of The Marlow Murder Club, and Bergerac will help us to build off the back of such a successful start to our commissioning journey for Drama and UKTV Play.”
Fitzgerald added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for UKTV Play, as we gear up for the launch of our masterbrand ‘U’ in the summer. Drama content is a key driver for audiences of our free streaming service, so I can’t wait to add this brilliant new series to our content offering.”
Bergerac will stream for free on UKTV Play and air on Drama in 2025.
