UKTV today releases a selection of first look images captured in Jersey for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60’) for U and U&DRAMA. The six-part U&Original series is produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK, Jersey based Westward Studios and supported by Visit Jersey. Bergerac will air in early 2025.
Taking the leading role of Jim Bergerac is Damien Molony (The Split, Brassic, Crashing), alongside Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Shadow and Bone, Black Ops) as Jim’s mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford, and Philip Glenister (Steeltown Murders, Life on Mars) as Arthur Wakefield.
Further cast include Pippa Haywood (Green Wing, Bodyguard) as Margaret Heaton, Robert Gilbert (Big Boys, Killing Eve) as Barney Crozier, Sasha Behar (Unforgotten, Casualty) as Uma Dalal, Timothy Renouf (A Very British Scandal) as Julien Wakefield and Celine Arden (Us or Them) as Kara.
The series is 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). Banijay Rights will handle international distribution for the series.
Bergerac is 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. The modern re-imagining will honour the iconic detective drama, but with a contemporary twist. Unlike the original hit from the 80s, the new series will see one character-led murder mystery run across all six episodes, in place of a new storyline each episode.
Viewers will meet Jim Bergerac (Molony) as a broken man, grappling with grief and alcoholism following his wife’s recent death. His mother-in-law, Charlie (Wanamaker), is concerned Jim isn’t putting his daughter Kim first and, when a woman from a wealthy Jersey family is murdered, Jim must fight through his personal struggles to become the formidable investigator he once was.
With a troublesome convict resurfacing from his past, Bergerac is required to call on his sharp investigative instincts and past successes to navigate the intricate family dynamics, and watchful eyes of the police force, in order to solve the case.
Bergerac has been commissioned by Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning for UKTV, and ordered by Paula Fitzgerald, head of digital content for streaming service U, and Emma Ayech, channel director for U&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. The series is directed by Colm McCarthy (The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself, Peaky Blinders) and Sean Spencer (The Lazarus Project, A Town Called Malice) and produced by Clare Alan (Resistance, Rebellion).
Bergerac is a brand-new U&Original series and will air on U and U&DRAMA in 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicity Manager, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
Images are available here
Robert Gilbert is represented by Denton Brierley
About U&DRAMA
Sky 143, Virgin Media 130, Freeview 20, Freesat 158
+1 Sky 243, Virgin Media 226, Freeview, 60
On demand on Sky, Virgin Media & U
Free-to-air channel U&DRAMA is passionate about bringing Britain the best quality drama. From period to contemporary, family to comedy, the channel provides an abundance of well-loved classics and modern drama with stories for viewers to fully immerse themselves in.
With programmes including familiar favourites Call the Midwife, The Bill, New Tricks and Silent Witness, and brand new and exclusive hits Sister Boniface Mysteries, Whitstable Pearl and Signora Volpe, this is the channel where viewers can escape and indulge in a handpicked range of the nation's most celebrated TV dramas.
U&DRAMA also offers a charming collection of U&Originals, with the TV adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s hit novel The Marlow Murder Club starring Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew, and the true story of the Mitford sisters in Outrageous, starring Bessie Carter, Joanna Vanderham, James Purefoy and Anna Chancellor. Viewers will get the chance to delve back into the world of Bergerac in a brand-new re-imagined series written by Toby Whithouse and starring Damien Molony in the leading role. Content can also be streamed for free on U.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
About Banijay UK
Banijay UK is a collective of leading independent television producers from around the UK. Our companies are responsible for some of the biggest TV brands on television including the MasterChef, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Deal or No Deal, SAS Rogue Heroes, Pointless, Ambulance and many more.
Banijay UK is part of media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, which is home to over 130 production companies across 21 territories, a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 180,000 hours of original standout programming, and a complementary live entertainment business – Banijay Events.
About BlackLight TV
BlackLight was formed in 2017 by Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan. Ben and Phil met when making the critically acclaimed film Ellen together and are backed by the Banijay Media Group. Ben and Phil both have over 20 years of experience making award-winning drama and film such as Being Human and The Curse of Steptoe. More recently BlackLight have made four series of the award-winning anthology On The Edge for Channel 4, which has been nominated for 11 BAFTA’s, winning one BAFTA Cymru as well as a host of other awards. They are currently in production for Cleddau/The One That Got Away, a new six-part drama series for S4C.
About Visit Jersey
Visit Jersey was established in March 2015, with the mission to promote tourism to and within Jersey in an innovative, economic, and efficient way. Under the leadership of CEO Tricia Warwick since April 2023, Visit Jersey brings a fresh approach to showcasing the island and repositioning Jersey as a destination in the minds of current and potential visitors internationally. The Visit Jersey team works collaboratively with the industry and government to drive growth and build a stronger, more sustainable visitor economy. For additional information visit Jersey.com or the Visit Jersey Travel Trade website.