Bergerac Star's Candid Confession on Sunday Brunch
Irish actor Damien Molony, who leads the contemporary reboot of the classic crime drama Bergerac, made a surprising admission during an appearance on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. The interview, which aired on April 19, 2026, saw Molony promote the show's highly anticipated second season, which has been praised by some fans as better than the original.
Unexpected Revelation Stuns Hosts
When host Tim Lovejoy remarked, "Everyone in the world knows Bergerac, don't they?" Molony's response left both Lovejoy and co-host Simon Rimmer taken aback. "I think so. I didn't!" the actor confessed. He elaborated that his awareness of the iconic Jersey-based series, which originally starred John Nettles and ran for a decade from 1981, was minimal before accepting the role.
"I knew of it, obviously, it was really only why I got offered the job," Molony explained. "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 only grasped the show's cultural significance after watching some of Nettles' episodes and filming on location in Jersey.
Embracing the Legacy Without Overwhelm
Molony shared that learning about Bergerac's history as a staple of Sunday night television—with families gathered around the TV—made him appreciate the role more. However, he admitted relief at not binge-watching every original episode. "I would have freaked out. I would have got really, really nervous," he said, noting that understanding the show's importance to fans came gradually during production.
Season Two Plotlines and New Additions
The actor teased upcoming developments for his character, Detective Jim Bergerac, who is teetering on the edge in the new season. "[Bergerac's] losing his support network a little bit. His daughter is moving away, his mother-in-law has got a boyfriend, so he could kind of go either way," Molony revealed. He also praised newcomers Adrian Edmondson and Lesley Sharp, as well as the scenic filming location of Jersey.
According to the official synopsis, season two sees Bergerac attempting to rebuild his life, with his mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford (Zoë Wanamaker) exploring a new romance and his daughter Kim (Chloé Sweetlove) encouraging him to date. However, a murder case quickly interrupts: when a groom is found dead at a wedding reception on the island, Bergerac must decode cryptic last words from the victim's speech to solve the crime, unearthing old secrets along the way.
A Reimagining for Old and New Fans
Molony expressed enthusiasm for bridging the gap between longtime enthusiasts and new viewers. "It's a really lovely feeling. It just goes to show how beloved the character of Bergerac is, because obviously we want to bring all of those fans of John Nettles' original version, but we also want to open it up to [new fans]," he concluded. The series is available to stream for free on U and via U on Channel 4, offering a fresh take on a beloved detective drama while honoring its legacy.
