Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, today announces landmark acquisitions of major new six-part drama series Bergerac ahead of this month’s London TV Screenings.
In deals negotiated across the Banijay Rights global sales team, Bergerac has been acquired by NPO in Netherlands, VRT in Belgium, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland, NRK in Norway, DR in Denmark, BBC First in Poland and TVNZ in New Zealand. ABC in Australia has also acquired the series, as previously announced.
Produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK, Jersey-based Westward Studios and supported by Visit Jersey for U&DRAMA in the UK, the 6 x 60’ series sees Damien Molony (The Split, Brassic, Crashing) star in the iconic role of Jim Bergerac.
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, this modern re-imagining honours the iconic detective drama, but with a contemporary twist. Unlike the original hit from the 80s, the new series sees one character-led murder mystery run across all six episodes, in place of a new storyline each episode.
Claire Jago, EVP Sales & Acquisitions EMEA, Banijay Rights said: “Bergerac is an enthralling, contemporary re-imagining of the much-loved 1980s crime drama, once again set in Jersey and featuring the iconic Triumph Roadster car. We have a fantastic new cast, writing and directing talent and are privileged to bring this drama to broadcasters and platforms around the world as we head into London TV Screenings this month.”
Ben Bickerton, BlackLight TV, said: “We are so excited to be bringing back such an iconic title that means so much to so many people. With Toby Whithouse’s compelling scripts and Colm McCarthy’s outstanding direction, the relaunch will delight fans of the original and introduce Bergerac, and the beautiful island of Jersey, to a new audience around the world.”
Bergerac 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). The drama also features Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Shadow and Bone, Black Ops) as Charlie Hungerford, Philip Glenister (Steeltown Murders, Life on Mars) as Arthur Wakefield and introduces Chloé Sweet Love as Jim’s daughter, Kim.
Viewers meet 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.
The series was commissioned by Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning for UKTV, with Helen Perry, head of drama commissioning, acting as executive producer for UKTV. Executive producers for BlackLight TV are Ben Bickerton, Philip Trethowan and Toby Whithouse. Brian Constantine is executive producer for Westward Studios. 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 one of several scripted highlights on Banijay Entertainment’s slate for London TV Screenings 2025, with the content powerhouse’s full line up due to be announced shortly. The Banijay Entertainment Showcase will be held on Wednesday 26th February at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly.