‘Big names’ in line to play Bergerac in reboot of 80s police detective series

Several ‘very big names’ have expressed interest in starring in the upcoming reboot of 80s police detective series Bergerac, an executive producer has teased.

From 1981 until 1991, John Nettles starred as the titular character Jim Bergerac in the BBC series, depicting the detective as he carried out investigations in Jersey.

Bergerac began the series as a detective sergeant, going on to become a solo private investigator before the programme came to an end after nine seasons and several Christmas specials.

Whoever takes on the role of the protagonist in the reboot will have big shoes to fill succeeding Nettles, who reprised the role in 1993 for a guest appearance in the spoof police comedy The Detectives.

On Tuesday, executive producer Brian Constantine discussed the reboot, explaining that they’ve now completed the development process and are moving onto the ‘exciting bit’.

‘That’s really the fun bit. We’ve gone through the development process, all the boring elements to television, the legals, the rights etc, and now it’s the exciting bit where we’re really getting our teeth into what the show’s going to look like,’ he said.

Bergerac is set to return with a new actor as the titular character (Picture: BBC)

Constantine explained that he was placing his faith in the ‘casting experts’ adding that ‘there has been a lot of interest from some very big names’, which is ‘really encouraging’.

‘It was such a multi-faceted, interesting character, so fingers crossed whoever it may be will do a fantastic job and maybe the next John Nettles with his blessing,’ he added.

Nettles, pictured with Deborah Grant on Bergerac, went on to star in Midsomer Murders (Photo by P. Shirley/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In 2019, it was reported that the revival was in the works, stating that it would be updated with ‘contemporary stories of the week’ and a ‘strong serial spine’ to reflect the modern day.

At the time, Constantine said: ‘It’s a much-loved drama and a real boost for Jersey, my home, where Bergerac has become part of the island’s identity.’

While many fans of the original show are excited to see the reboot, others are less keen on it being remade.

‘What’s the point of remaking “Bergerac” when you can watch the original every afternoon…?’ one person tweeted.

More: BBC

‘Bergerac was a classic and he will always be John Nettles,’ someone else said, adding: ‘Why do a reboot when you could make a new detective show set on Jersey?’

Following Bergerac, Nettles went on to play another police detective in Midsomer Murders.

Bergerac is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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