FOR executive producer Brian Constantine, the Jersey première of the new Bergerac TV series will be a “pinch me” moment – after a hard-fought journey to make the reimagined detective drama a reality.
The red-carpet event at Cineworld will celebrate the long-anticipated reboot, commissioned by BBC-owned broadcaster UKTV, ahead of its launch on U and U&DRAMA on 27 February.
Filmed last year, the new six-episode Bergerac series is expected to offer a “contemporary twist” on the popular detective drama of the same name that starred John Nettles and ran on the BBC between 1981 and 1991.
It has been directed by Peaky Blinders director Colm McCarthy and features Irish actor Damien Molony in the lead role of Jim Bergerac.
But bringing Jersey’s most famous detective back on-screen – and back to the Island – was no easy task.
“We’re looking at probably well over eight years ago now, when it became a very, very real possibility that we (Westward Studios) would be able to secure the rights and essentially option the Bergerac format with a view to developing the show,” Mr Constantine explained.
He added that this initial hurdle involved gaining the blessing of the family of Robert Banks Stewart, the creator of the original show who passed away in 2016.
“Robert had three sons – I mainly deal with Andy and we’ve got a really good relationship.
“It was only recently that I said to him ‘why did you choose us in the end?’, and he said simply he felt confident that we would make it happen.”
The process to bring the show forward would not be without setbacks, however, with a previous attempt – made alongside Artists Studios and Paramount Network – ultimately collapsing amid the Covid pandemic’s “devastating” impact on the industry.
“We were then able to form a relationship with BlackLight TV (part of Banijay UK) with Ben Bickerton and Phil Trethowan,” Mr Constantine continued.
“It was actually Banijay who came to me and said: ‘We think we’ve found this production company that would be a great home for Bergerac’.”
He also noted that the length of time needed to get the new series off the ground was “not abnormal”.
“Commissions, green lights, etc – they don’t just give those out. It’s incredibly hard to achieve and you have to have a really strong product and a strong team behind it for a broadcaster to actually decide that it’s something they want to take forward.
“The other biggest hurdle, which has been no secret, was actually making sure that we could come to Jersey – given that Jersey had no real infrastructure when it comes to television production. Everything needs to be brought in, it’s very expensive and every day counts.
“There is no UK tax credit set up here, there’s no film commission, etc – all of those were problems. Things that the industry is very used to dealing with in the UK in a certain way, and Jersey had none of that. So it was just [about] finding solutions to how we get around that.
“We had a lot of support from Visit Jersey, the Government of Jersey, the Jersey Hospitality Association – a lot of people came together to really make sure that Bergerac stayed a Jersey show.”
While scenes were also shot in Devon, Mr Constantine stressed that those involved in the production understood the importance of filming in the Island “as much as possible”.
This includes Mr Molony, who told the JEP in August that “there is no Bergerac without Jersey”.
“It was about finding the happy medium, of how much we can do here without spending the whole budget in a few weeks,” Mr Constantine added.
“The time that we were in the Island was maximised perfectly, there was a really good use of the crew’s time.
“I really mean this – it is a Jersey show.
“Filming, as far as I’m concerned, went incredibly smoothly given that we were bringing in up to 50, 60 people, closing roads and generally getting in the way of daily life – but Jersey was incredibly supportive.”
With the local première and the launch of the new series just days away, Mr Constantine said the feeling was “very hard to describe”.
“Obviously, right now, it’s amazing – we’re just about to see the première screenings of the show, Jersey’s about to see it for the first time.
“There’s been a lot of excitement around the trailers that have dropped recently, and there are all those little tangible things that start to happen that are making it incredibly real.
“I feel very proud to have stuck to it.
“There’s been a few times when it felt like this really wasn’t going to happen, and maybe it was time to start thinking of another idea – but we got there.
“It was just a great deal of patience, and also belief that what we’re doing is something that is achievable, something that will hopefully have a legacy and something Jersey can be proud of – but also utilise in terms of making it an attractive place to do more television in the Island.”
Islanders are encouraged to meet Bergerac cast members when they arrive for the Jersey première, due to take place on Monday from around 3.30pm.
“That’s definitely going to be a pinch me moment. One where I expect I will feel very proud,” Mr Constantine added.
“I’m thrilled with it and I think Jersey will be too. I have no doubt that we have a fantastic show with a fantastic cast and a fantastic team.”
Earlier this month, global distributor Banijay Rights announced that the new series had been acquired by broadcasters around the world. Visit Jersey also recently revealed that negotiations were “still under way in a number of international markets”.
Commenting on his hopes for further seasons of the show, Mr Constantine said: “It’s fair to say nobody gets into this to just do one season. We’ve had no confirmation at this stage about the future. But, of course, we’re hopeful – as is everybody involved in the production – that this is something that will go and go, and we’ll keep following the interesting, dramatic life that Jim Bergerac leads.”
Watch the new series of Bergerac on U&Drama or stream for free on U from 27 February
