Talks about bringing the 80s drama back to TV screens have been taking place over the course of the year.
Back in February, Paramount Network UK announced it was looking into the idea and meetings between senior TV executives and Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham have taken place. The project, which is being developed for Paramount by Artists Studios, Endemol Shine UK and Jersey-based Westward Studios, is still not 100 per cent rubber-stamped, according to the executive producer at Westwood, Brian Constantine.
However he has confirmed that the scripts for a new show are 99% there, and officials are hoping the green light could be given in September.
He said: ‘It is still a waiting game, unfortunately.
‘The final work is going on with the scripts. They are going back and forth for very small changes.
‘Things look very positive, though, and I think the scripts look fantastic. The initial stages of casting have already begun, because if you want to get the top talent in you have to sort out available dates and other things, so we are talking with agents.
‘We are also continuing to have positive discussions with the government about the support they can give us, and those discussions continue to be encouraging.’
The original series was produced by the BBC and ran from 1981 to 1991, starring John Nettles as Jim Bergerac – a detective sergeant working within the States police’s fictional Bureau des Étrangers department.
Mr Nettles has previously said he would be open to a cameo role in a remake of the show, although he stated he was too old now to play the main star.
Mr Constantine added it was a privilege to be involved in the new project, which he revealed had already attracted interest from around the world.
He added: ‘We are hoping we could get the green light in September and from there we can look towards starting filming, which would probably be in 2020.
‘It is so exciting and a privilege to be involved in something that is so big for the Island.
‘There has already been a lot of interest from around the world with regards to this.’
