Jim Bergerac’s iconic Triumph Roadster is set to feature in 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.
UKTV today releases a selection of images, showcasing the Triumph Roadster – the iconic car that featured in 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 car pictured is one that was used in the original series and still has the same registration plate.
Damien Molony said: “When people talk about Bergerac, two things immediately spring to mind: Jersey, and the car. We’ve recently wrapped on filming, and I’ve had the best time stepping into the role of Jim Bergerac – I’ve even had the privilege of getting behind the wheel of the iconic Triumph Roadster. We couldn’t have re-imagined this series without paying homage to the original, and the car beautifully bridges the two. I can’t wait to share it with the fans.”
Damien Molony (The Split, Brassic, Crashing) takes the lead as Jim Bergerac - a broken man, grappling with grief and alcoholism following his wife’s recent death. His mother-in-law, Charlie (Zoë Wanamaker), is concerned Jim isn’t putting his daughter Kim (Chloé Sweetlove) first and, when the daughter-in-law of wealthy businessman Arthur Wakefield (Philip Glenister) is murdered, Jim must fight through his personal struggles to become the formidable investigator he once was.
“When people talk about Bergerac, two things immediately spring to mind: Jersey, and the car"
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.
Further cast include Pippa Haywood as Margaret Heaton, Robert Gilbert as Barney Crozier, Sasha Behar as Uma Dalal, Aidan McArdle as Pete Benedict, Timothy Renouf as Julien Wakefield, Stephen Wight as John Blakely, Ayesha Antoine as Chloe Havron, and Celine Arden 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.
The modern re-imagining of Bergerac 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.
Bergerac is a brand-new U&Original series and will air on U and U&DRAMA in early 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicity Manager, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
Robert Gilbert is represented by Denton Brierley
Filming took place in Jersey and parts of the UK
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 Drama is passionate about bringing Britain the best quality drama. From period to contemporary, family to comedy, the channel is a treasure trove 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.
The channel’s offering has also expanded in recent years with the UKTV Original TV adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s hit novel The Marlow Murder Club. This two-part series stars Samantha Bond as no-nonsense, crossword-setter and wild-swimmer, Judith Potts, alongside Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew.
Programming on U
U will become home to thousands of hours of free content from a raft of genres, including: drama (Annika, Holby City, Madam Secretary, Sister Boniface Mysteries, A Million Little Things), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone), entertainment (Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads) and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash). U will also give viewers access to exclusive shows, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic programmes from the BBC.
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, U&eden, Gold and Alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; 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.