The revamped Bergerac detective drama starring Damien Molony is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The original series aired in the 1980s with John Nettles as detective Jim Bergerac, and the revival premiered in 2025 on U&Drama and Channel 4.
Damien Molony, 42, takes on the iconic lead role of Jim Bergerac, a brilliant detective grappling with life as a recovering alcoholic and widower. The BBC teases: "Break the case - before it breaks you. Battling his demons, can Bergerac fight back to be the formidable detective he once was?"
Critical acclaim and audience reaction
The first series achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer said: "Have just binged this and can't wait for the next season!" Another commented: "I loved the performances of all the major actors. It is nice to see Damien Molony in a lead role. He does a brilliant job." One fan confessed they were "glued to the box" throughout the series.
Original star's blessing
Molony told RadioTimes that original Bergerac star John Nettles gave his blessing: "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."
Why detective dramas resonate
Molony also explained why series like Bergerac are popular: "It's just very pleasing to watch, people really like the detection element. That's why medical dramas are popular, they're also detectives. And it's the same reason that people do crosswords on the Tube. We want to work it out."
Series two of Bergerac dropped earlier this year and is available on U&Drama and Channel 4. Series one is now available on BBC iPlayer, U&Drama, and Channel 4.
