Damien Molony tells us about the revival of classic detective series Bergerac on U&Drama

Things are not what they appear in Jersey. Against a tranquil backdrop of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, a deadly crime has shaken the community and there’s only one man for the job. Introducing Jim Bergerac – as you’ve never seen him before.

The re-imagined series from award-winning writer Toby Whithouse (Being Human, The Red King) stars Damien Molony (Brassic) in the title role. While Molony’s character shares some parallels with John Nettles’ 1980s version – they’re both true mavericks who operate on their own terms and struggle with alcoholism – in the reboot, we first meet Bergerac as a broken man who is reeling from the death of his wife.

When a member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered by an unknown assailant, Bergerac is called to the scene to help crack the case. What follows is a knotty investigation as Bergerac tries to track down the killer. He also sees it as a chance to prove to his teenage daughter Kim (Chloé Sweetlove, The Crow Girl) and mother-in-law Charlie (Zoë Wanamaker, Shadow And Bone) that his life is back on track.

Also starring in the hotly anticipated reboot is Life On Mars‘ Philip Glenister, who had an early guest-star role in the original Bergerac, as well as Pippa Haywood (Bodyguard), Robert Gilbert (Killing Eve), Sasha Behar (Unforgotten) and Celine Arden (Us Or Them). While the modern version pays homage to the original show with its stunning Jersey location and the return of Jim’s legendary Triumph Roadster, the series will focus on one character-led murder mystery across all six episodes instead of a new case each week.

Don’t miss the return of the iconic detective drama, airing from Thursday 27 February at 9pm on U&Drama HD (CH 116). Until then, we sit down with the series’ lead Damien Molony, who tells us everything we want to know about the reimagining of this classic British TV show.

Hi Damien! Let’s get started… Why did you want to work on Bergerac?

I’d worked with Toby Whithouse before on a show called Being Human, which was my first ever TV show, and I jumped at the chance to work with him again. What I love about Toby’s script is that he’s created a Bergerac to introduce a new generation to the character and his adventures on the island of Jersey. I watch a lot of cop shows too, like Happy Valley, Cagney & Lacey, Touch Of Frost and Line Of Duty, and I think it’s really important to keep the audience guessing all the time before the rug gets pulled out from underneath them. So, I was hooked from that chat on and here we are.

How did you make the iconic role of Jim Bergerac your own?

I read a lot about bereavement including this wonderful book called When Breath Becomes Air, which is written by a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Ultimately the book was finished by his wife and daughter and you very quickly get a sense of what an illness does to family unit and the people who are left behind like Jim Bergerac. I also spoke to a lot of people who’d gone to AA and the very real everyday struggles that they go through. And I watched Brian O’Driscoll’s dressing room team talks to the Irish rugby team because I’d never spoken to a team of people and got them to do something before!

Did you take any inspiration from John Nettles’ character?

I didn’t really want to be tied into trying to recreate what John had created so brilliantly in the original Bergerac. But you also want to honour everything that's been achieved before you and there are loads of nods to the original Bergerac like it being set on Jersey, the leather jacket and the great car. We have that car from the very first episode and it’s in such beautiful condition with its huge steering wheel and sofa-like front seat. It was really a coup for us to get it and as the series progresses, we find out that the car was a gift from Jim’s late wife which is why he sleeps in it at night-time. The car is essentially a character in its own right!

Was Bergerac a staple show in your household when you were growing up?

When I’ve spoken to people about playing the role of Bergerac, you could immediately see this glow from them because to so many people Bergerac means a Saturday night at home with family watching the television. It’s been a lovely wave to crest because we’re making a show that everyone is so happy is back. I haven’t done something before that has such an instinctive positivity and we owe so much to the original for that feeling.

Would you like to star in any other reboots of classic TV shows?

I’d love to be in MacGyver. I used to dance around the kitchen to the theme tune and it's one of the reasons that I wanted to become an actor. He had this Swiss Army knife that he could just do anything with! There’s also Dangerfield with Nigel Le Vaillant as a doctor who’s constantly drafted into doing autopsies so there was always an element of detective work there. I loved that show and I watched a lot of old episodes in preparation for Bergerac – Dangerfield’s also a widower with teenage kids.

You shot the series in Jersey. Would you recommend it as a place to visit?

I’d be back in a heartbeat. I can’t believe that more things aren't filmed in Jersey. It’s as beautiful in 2°C as it is in 32°C. On our first day of shooting, we were up at 3am to capture this incredible sunrise over Bouley Bay and then three hours later we were on the other side of the island filming at this massive windswept beach at St Ouen’s Bay. Then there’s the historic St Helier, the beautiful countryside of St Martin, Gorey Pier and St Brelade’s Bay which has golden sands, lovely hotels and ice-cream.

Before you go, we need to know if you’ll be watching the final series of Brassic?

Oh yeah! I’m still on all the actors’ WhatsApp groups so I’m privy to lots of the gossip and I can't wait to see how Danny and Joe bring it all to a close. I had five very happy years on the show.

Bergerac begins on Thursday 27 February on U&Drama HD (CH 116) at 9pm, when all episodes will be available in Apps > U and On Demand > U&Drama. The remaining five episodes will air weekly on Thursdays. You can watch series 1-9 of the original Bergerac in Apps > U now.