One of the most iconic detectives in British television history is returning to the screen, with UKTV ordering a six-part revival of Bergerac to air next year.
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Inspired by the John Nettles drama from the '80s and early '90s, the series will re-introduce Jersey-based sleuth Jim Bergerac, as well as his old friends and rivals, to win the hearts of a new generation of fans.
The on-camera roles are yet to be cast, but screenwriter Toby Whithouse (Doctor Who, Being Human) is confirmed as one of the show's writers, alongside Brian Fillis (Trust), Catherine Tregenna (Three Pines) and Polly Buckle (Love Rat).
Whithouse said in a statement: "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."
While the UKTV Play and Drama production will look to stay faithful to the earlier series, one area of deviation has already been announced.
Rather than adopting the procedural structure of the original, the rebooted Bergerac will unravel one "character-led" murder mystery that spans across all six episodes.
John Nettles in Bergerac. BBC
UKTV teases that Bergerac will be "thrown into a knotty, high-stakes police investigation and challenged to his very core" and "forced to confront his demons, while trying to save his family and career".
Casting will be announced in the coming months, with filming scheduled to take place over the summer on the Channel Island of Jersey, among other locations.
Commissioner Hilary Rosen said: "We are delighted to be working with BlackLight TV and Banijay on this reimagining 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."
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
