The beloved British detective series Bergerac is officially heading across the Atlantic. PBS Distribution has acquired the first two seasons of the rebooted drama, bringing the iconic Jersey-based investigator to American audiences later this year. The deal, negotiated by global distribution giant Banijay Rights, marks a major win for fans of British crime dramas who have been waiting to see this modern take on a classic story .
The acquisition comes just ahead of the London TV Screenings, where international buyers gather to find the next big shows for their audiences. For American viewers who love shows like Endeavour, Shetland, and Vera, Bergerac promises to deliver the same kind of gripping mystery mixed with stunning locations and complex characters .
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Face
This is not your parents’ Bergerac from the 1980s. The original series, created by Robert Banks Stewart, starred John Nettles as the rumpled detective and ran for nine seasons on the BBC between 1981 and 1991. That version featured a new case each episode, with Jim Bergerac solving crimes while driving his classic Triumph Roadster through the beautiful Channel Island of Jersey.
The 2025 reboot takes a completely different approach. Instead of wrapping up a mystery in each episode, the new Bergerac spreads one single character-led murder mystery across all six episodes of the first season. This serialized format allows for deeper character development and more intricate plotting, giving viewers time to really get to know the people involved .
Damien Molony, known for his roles in The Split and Brassic, steps into the iconic role of Jim Bergerac. He brings a fresh energy to the character while honoring what made the original so beloved. The show picks up with Bergerac as a recently widowed detective, struggling to balance his job with raising his daughter Kim while dealing with a complicated relationship with his mother-in-law .
Star-Studded Cast Brings Jersey to Life
The casting for this reboot reads like a who’s who of British television talent. Alongside Molony, the series features Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Shadow and Bone) as Charlie Hungerford, Bergerac’s sharp and formidable mother-in-law. In a gender-swapped take on the original character (who was played by Terence Alexander as a lovable rogue father-in-law), Wanamaker’s Charlie brings a new dynamic to the family drama .
Wanamaker described her character to the Radio Times as “a powerful, ruthless woman,” hinting at the conflicts that will arise between her and Bergerac as they both navigate life after the loss of her daughter .
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Philip Glenister (Life on Mars, Steeltown Murders) plays Arthur Wakefield, while Chloé Sweet Love takes on the role of Bergerac’s daughter Kim. Robert Gilbert (Big Boys, Killing Eve) appears as Barney Crozier, and Lesley Sharp (The Full Monty, Red Eye) joins as Monica Barton. Comedy legend Adrian Edmondson (The Young Ones, Bottom) rounds out the cast as Nigel, described as “a charming new presence in Charlie’s life” .
Why American Viewers Will Love This Show
The numbers from the UK tell a compelling story. The first season of Bergerac pulled in 2.4 million viewers across U and U&DRAMA, making it the highest-rating show on the UKTV network in 2025 . That kind of audience response suggests the show has found something special that resonates with modern viewers.
Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions & Acquisitions at Banijay Rights, expressed confidence that American audiences will feel the same way.
“Stylish, enthralling and an edge-of-your-seat detective drama, Bergerac is destined to be huge draw for US audiences, so we couldn’t be more pleased with this deal. Featuring Jim Bergerac’s iconic Triumph Roadster car and set against the stunning backdrop of Jersey, this is a series that continues to generate worldwide attention as we head into next week’s London TV Screenings.”
Germaine Sweet, Head of Content Acquisition and Sales at PBS Distribution, shared that enthusiasm.
“This smart re-imagining of the iconic detective series is sure to capture the attention of audiences in the US.”
The executive producers from BlackLight TV, Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan, also weighed in on the news.
“We are thrilled that Bergerac will find a new audience in the US. With its gripping stories, stellar cast and stunning locations, we are sure they will be hooked.”
The Writing Team Behind the Mystery
Great detective dramas need great writers, and Bergerac has assembled an impressive team. Lead writer Toby Whithouse, known for Being Human and The Red King, heads up a group that includes Brian Fillis (Trust, Sirens), Catherine Tregenna (Three Pines, The One That Got Away), Polly Buckle (A Discovery of Witches, Love Rat), and Emilie Robson (War, The Case). For the second season, Ashley Sanders and Faebian Averies have joined the writing team .
This collection of talent suggests the show will offer the kind of complex character work and clever plotting that British crime dramas are known for worldwide.
What to Expect in Season Two
While American viewers are just learning about the show’s arrival, the UK is already looking ahead to season two. Production has been moving forward, and the second season is set to launch in the UK early in 2026 .
The new season will find Charlie and Bergerac beginning to rebuild their lives following the loss of Charlie’s daughter. The official description reveals that the case this time will involve the murder of a newly-wed husband, giving Bergerac another tricky mystery to solve .
Adrian Edmondson’s character Nigel enters Charlie’s life in season two, promising new complications and possibly some lighter moments amid the drama. Photos from the set show Charlie at what looks like a party with her granddaughter Kim and the new character, suggesting some social dynamics at play .
International Success Before America
The PBS deal follows a string of international sales that show Bergerac has global appeal. The show has already been picked up by broadcasters including WOWOW in Japan, NPO in the Netherlands, VRT in Belgium, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland, NRK in Norway, DR in Denmark, BBC First in Poland, TVNZ in New Zealand, and ABC in Australia .
That impressive list of buyers suggests that the combination of a beloved property, fresh storytelling, and top-tier talent has created something that translates well across cultures.
When Can American Viewers Watch?
PBS plans to launch Bergerac in the US later in 2026. Specific air dates have not yet been announced, but the show will likely find a home on PBS stations nationwide as well as streaming through PBS Passport, the service’s member benefit that allows viewers to watch shows on demand.
For viewers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and around the world, the distribution deal means that Bergerac will soon be widely available. The show joins a strong lineup of British dramas that have found enthusiastic American audiences through PBS, including Call the Midwife, All Creatures Great and Small, and countless others.
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The Legacy Continues
For fans of the original series, this reboot offers a chance to revisit familiar territory with fresh eyes. The new version honors what made the original special—the Jersey setting, the classic car, the detective who doesn’t always play by the rules—while updating the storytelling for modern audiences.
John Nettles, who played the original Jim Bergerac for nearly a decade, went on to even greater fame as DCI Tom Barnaby in Midsomer Murders. His portrayal of the Jersey detective remains beloved by fans, but the new series doesn’t try to copy what he did. Instead, Damien Molony makes the role his own, creating a Bergerac for a new generation.
The show is produced by BlackLight TV (part of Banijay UK), Jersey-based Westward Studios, and supported by Visit Jersey. It was commissioned as a UKTV Original series for the free-streaming service U and the U&DRAMA channel in the UK .
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