Zoë filming new version of classic TV drama Bergerac

9 July 2024 17:37

This month Zoë begins filming a reimagined version of the hit 1980s detective drama Bergerac. Here she is at a read-through for the new six-part series, alongside Damien Molony. The latter has been cast as recently widowed detective Jim Bergerac, with Zoë playing another key role, Charlie Hungerford. (You can click on the photo to see a larger version.)

The press release from UKTV, the company that’s commissioned the series for its U&DRAMA channel (formerly called Drama) and streaming service, points to the difficult relationship between these two characters. ‘[Bergerac’s] mother-in-law, Charlie (Wanamaker), is concerned Jim isn’t putting his daughter Kim first’ following the tragic death of his wife.

Metro highlights the fact that Zoë, who the newspaper describes as a ‘Harry Potter legend’, is in the cast. There are also enthusiastic articles about the Bergerac reboot from the Radio Times, ITV News and Televisual, to name but a few.

In the John Nettles-led classic BBC series, Charlie (Terence Alexander) was the divorced Bergerac’s former father-in-law and a loveable rogue. It’ll be fascinating to see what effect portraying the character as a woman who (like Bergerac) is grieving in the new version will have. In another change, the updated Bergerac will feature one murder mystery rather than continuing with the one-case-per-episode format familiar to 80s Bergerac viewers.

One aspect of the show that remains the same, however, is the setting: beautiful Jersey. The new Bergerac will be made there and in the UK.

Other cast members include Philip Glenister and Pippa Haywood. The main writer is Toby Whithouse. Bergerac is a UKTV Original series produced by BlackLight TV (part of Banijay UK) and Westward Studios with support from Visit Jersey.

It’ll be screened in the UK in 2025. The press release also hints at international distribution plans.

Thanks to Janet for her help :)

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