In February, the Paramount Network (UK) announced it was looking to bring a revamped Bergerac back to TV screens.
And following meetings in London with senior TV executives last week, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said good progress was being made towards production of the new series.
He added that discussions over the level of States funding for the project were still taking place but that any government money would be ‘subject to strict criteria ensuring maximum benefit’ to Jersey. In 2011 under a previous minister, a £200,000 Economic Development grant was given to Canbedone Productions to go towards pre-production work for a Jersey-based film Knights of Impossingworth, which never materialised.
The Bergerac reboot is being developed for Paramount Network International by Artists Studios, Endemol Shine UK and Jersey-based Westward Studios. Emmy-award winning producer Gub Neal – best known for hit prime-time dramas such as Prime Suspect, Cracker and The Fall – is attached to the project.
The original series was produced by the BBC and starred John Nettles as Jim Bergerac – a detective sergeant working within the States police’s fictional Bureau des Étrangers department.
Senator Farnham said: ‘I had a very productive day of meetings in London last week with Viacom/Paramount Pictures, Endemol Shine UK and Westward Studios.
‘I was very impressed with the plans presented and encouraged by the progress made to produce a new series of Bergerac and to film in Jersey in the early part of 2020.
‘The project is being delivered by a strong team of globally acclaimed media partners with a solid track record of success in many similar projects.’
The prime-time drama originally ran from 1981 until 1991, but no details about the updated scripts have yet been released.
Senator Farnham added: ‘Discussions are continuing in relation to the level of investment, by Jersey, in the production and I can confirm that any finance provided will be subject to strict criteria ensuring maximum benefit for the Island.
‘It is clear that the production of a new series of Bergerac represents a significant opportunity for Jersey, which I aim to ensure is delivered during the production of the series and long into the future.’
Brian Constantine, executive producer and chief executive of Westward Studios, confirmed that initial scripts have been written and work on the series is ‘pointing in the right direction’, although there were still a few steps before production would be given the full go-ahead.
He said: ‘We’re incredibly encouraged by the progress made to date with the Bergerac project. It’s important to note that it is in the late stages of development so there is still a way to go before we can definitely say it’s happening, but everything is pointing in the right direction.
‘We had a very productive meeting with government and our partners Artist Studio, Endemol Shine and Paramount Network last week in London.
‘We are thrilled that Jersey Government and Senator Farnham and his team have been so supportive of our ambition to film on Jersey.
‘We do hope to have some significant news soon as all involved are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to see Bergerac back on our screens in the not-too-distant future.’
