Damien Molony, the star of the new Bergerac reboot, has confessed he was unfamiliar with the original series before landing the role. Appearing on Sunday Brunch, the Irish actor left hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer stunned when he said: 'I didn't [know Bergerac].'
Molony explained that he only became aware of the show's cultural significance after accepting the part. 'I was at a wedding and people were like, “Damien, the car, the jacket, Jersey!” And I was like, “What have I signed up for?”' he recalled. He subsequently watched some episodes of John Nettles' original but deliberately avoided binge-watching to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
The Brassic star took over the lead role in UKTV's contemporary reimagining of the Jersey-set crime drama. He praised the filming location and newcomers Adrian Edmondson and Lesley Sharp, adding that the team aimed to honour fans of the original while attracting new viewers.
In the new series, Jim Bergerac is 'teetering on the edge' as his support network shrinks – his daughter moves away and his mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford (Zoë Wanamaker) finds a new partner. The season's central case involves a groom murdered at his wedding reception, with cryptic clues from the victim's speech.
Bergerac season two is available to stream for free on U and via U on Channel 4.
