Damien Molony has opened up about John Nettles' reaction after he replaced him in the Bergerac reboot. John starred as detective sergeant Jim Bergerac in the original run of the British crime drama, which aired from 1981 to 1991. The series has now been rebooted, with Damien as DCI James 'Jim' Bergerac.
Asked if John had given the show his blessing, Damien told Radio Times they had spoken about it and that he was 'thrilled' with what the original Bergerac had to say. He said: 'We met and he said, "I’ve watched the first episode and I think it’s fantastic. It’s very different to what we did, it’s much darker – I loved it." He didn’t need to say that, and I was thrilled that he did.'
Viewer reactions to the reboot
The Bergerac reboot started in 2025, airing on U&Drama. It follows the police detective as he solves crimes in Jersey, while also dealing with issues in his own past. Viewers have been enthusiastic about the new take, with one posting on IMDB.com: 'I have fond memories of the original with the gorgeous John Nettles, so there is always a bit of anxiety regarding a remake. However, this Bergerac, with the mesmerising Damien Molony is a different deal altogether. The general feel is much darker and less of a glossy travelogue for Jersey. Have just binged this and can't wait for the next season!'
Someone else said: 'Like the reboot. Love the cast. Good plots and clever twists. The setting of the show is also an added bonus. I really like the actor playing the lead role, he is very likeable as this character.' 'I loved it,' one viewer posted on review site Rotten Tomatoes, although another added: 'An entertaining reboot although not as good as the original.'
Critical perspective
One reviewer commented: 'Bergerac is not Superman, he is flawed and sometimes makes dumb decisions, and he wields the double-edged sword of obsessiveness, which leads to breakthroughs but can just as backfire. But he is very watchable, and Molony is able to persuasively carry Bergerac’s darkness and dynamism.' Bergerac airs on U&Drama.
