Damien Molony, who now plays DCI James 'Jim' Bergerac in the revived series, has addressed the fact that the reboot is seen as "darker" than the original. The British crime drama originally starred John Nettles as detective sergeant Jim Bergerac on the BBC from 1981 to 1991.
The beloved programme was revived in 2025, with Molony stepping into the role. The first series was a success with viewers, leading to a second series. However, some fans have posted on social media and review sites noting that the new version is a little heavier than the original.
Molony on a More Damaged Bergerac
Asked if his version of Jim Bergerac is more damaged than John Nettles' version, Molony told Radio Times: "Bergerac is a brilliant renegade detective and alcohol is his kryptonite. His family life is falling apart, his wife is dead and his daughter is really all he's got left."
"Anything that threatens the foundations of recovery he's clinging onto makes for great drama," he added.
Shift in Tone Noted by Viewers and Critics
The Bergerac revival launched in 2025 on U&Drama. It follows the police detective as he tackles crimes across Jersey while confronting troubles from his own past. It has been a hit with viewers, although several have commented on the shift in tone. One wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it was "darker than the original".
Someone else wrote on IMDB.com: "Gone is the pleasant John Nettles persona replaced by a darker, more troubled characterisation of the titular character."
Some critics also felt the same way, with The Times saying it was "a darker, more pained take on our Jersey detective". A review in The Age said: "There is no shortage of grim crime series being produced in Britain, and on its own terms this Bergerac is a good example of the genre done right." Someone else said in the Daily Mail that it was "a very different production from the one that enthralled audiences in the Eighties".
