Latest news with #Bergerac
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders star bags new role in detective drama perfect for Death in Paradise fans
The island-based detective series is returning for season 2 with a Midsomer Murders star joining the cast. Fans of the beloved murder mystery programme Death in Paradise are being urged to discover another British crime drama situated on an island - and it showcases one of Britain's most renowned fictional sleuths. Bergerac, a reimagining of the classic 1980s BBC series that starred John Nettles, has secured approval for a second series on U&Original after receiving largely favourable reviews. The programme, featuring Brassic's Damien Molony as the eponymous detective Jim Bergerac, is welcoming fresh faces to its cast for the upcoming season. Midsomer Murders favourite Adrian Edmondson is arriving as Nigel, a romantic prospect for Zoë Wanamaker's Charlie, whilst Red Eye's Lesley Sharp is being brought in as Monica. Developed by Being Human's Toby Whithouse, the series already boasts an impressive ensemble, with the inaugural season's roster also featuring Life On Mars star Philip Glenister, Big Boys' Robert Gilbert and Grantchester's Luke Nunn, reports the Manchester Evening News. Filming has officially commenced on the show's second series, which takes place on the Channel island of Jersey. The official description for 2025's Bergerac states: "Troubled detective Jim Bergerac is forced to confront a troubling past case when a wealthy woman is murdered, pushing him to overcome personal demons and reignite his investigative prowess to navigate family tensions and law enforcement scrutiny." The debut series holds an exceptional 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers awarding it broadly positive assessments. The Times described it as a "darker, more pained take on our Jersey detective", gushing: "Welcome back, Jim." Digital Spy penned: "While there are familiar threads that pay homage to the classic show... there is one simple tweak to the way in which the case goes on to unfold that makes an impactful difference to this new iteration of the Bergerac series." The Age proclaimed: "There is no shortage of grim crime series being produced in Britain, and on its own terms this Bergerac is a good example of the genre done right." The Nightly declared: "The character is very watchable, and Damien Molony is able to persuasively carry Bergerac's darkness and dynamism." Yet some viewers weren't won over, with one grumbling: "What a shame, it's all got too serious. None of the understated humour of the original series, which I've started watching again. Far better." Another moaned: "Probably the most complete collection of cliches possible. Every element we have seen many times. Main character totally unlikeable." Still, one supporter rushed to defend the programme on IMDb, posting: "Loved it. Bergerac is a great character and the actors are all well rounded. Haven't seen the original but judged on its own it's a fantastic free to air crime drama. Hope there is a follow up season. So much more to develop with some of the sideline characters. Not perfect but it holds up as a great binge." Another viewer praised it as "brilliant", confessing: "I have fond memories of the original with the gorgeous John Nettles (before he moved to Midsomer), so there is always a bit of anxiety regarding a remake. However, this Bergerac, with the mesmerising Damien Moloney is a different deal altogether." A third admitted they were "glued to the box", stating: "Let me say at the outset, I have never seen the original Bergerac so I'm coming to this series from a fresh, unbiased viewpoint. "Apart from the first (overlong) twenty minutes or so which was endeavouring to show the depth to which Bergerac had sunk, I really enjoyed the series. I'm glad I stayed with it. "Yes, it was a bit predictable but that doesn't bother me. The highlight was the wonderful Philip Glenister who's brilliant in whatever he does." All six episodes of Bergerac season 1 are available to stream now on U.
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Midsomer Murders star says he'll never watch ITV show again for specific reason
John Nettles has said that he will never watch Midsomer Murders again, as he opened up on his time on the hit ITV crime drama Former Midsomer Murders star John Nettles has disclosed he has no desire to watch the beloved detective TV programme again for a particular reason. The 81 year old actor played Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby in the popular ITV crime series, which initially launched in 1997. John also featured in BBC 's crime drama Bergerac, where he played the lead character, from 1981 to 1991. However, his background in detective programmes has discouraged him from viewing Midsomer Murders, as the performer explained he "doesn't want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body" following years of doing precisely that. Speaking to The Times, John remarked: "No, I don't watch. I've seen every trope, every curiosity, every plot manoeuvre that belongs to the genre, over and over and over again. "I never want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body. It's just too much. I've done it for so many years, for days and months at a time, 24/7, more or less." He likened his involvement in TV shows such as Midsomer Murders to "building a wall", explaining it is constructed "very carefully" because "you don't want to go back and watch other people building it". John suggested that Midsomer Murders attracted audiences due to the "extraordinary murders" that could render the crimes "totally unreal", reports the Manchester Evening News. The performer also discussed contemporary detective dramas, condemning the level of violence against women featured in certain programmes. "I tell you what is awful is the obligatory appearance of the tortured woman, the raped woman, the murdered woman," he said. "Jesus, God. It's very difficult to do that stuff and to use it as a bit of plot line. It gets worse and worse and worse." Following John's departure from Midsomer Murders in 2011, Neil Dudgeon stepped into the role as DCI John Barnaby, portraying Tom's younger cousin. Meanwhile, Bergerac is set for a revival with a fresh reboot arriving on U later this month. Actor Damien Molony has assumed the lead role, though John declined the opportunity for a cameo appearance in the new series. Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITVX
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Ryanair Cuts Flights, Drops Airports in France Over Tax Hike
Ryanair Holdings Plc plans to end operations at three airports in France and reduce flights to the country during the winter season in response to the French government's decision to tax air travel. The 13% cut in capacity means the loss of 750,000 seats and 25 routes to France, the Irish budget carrier said on Wednesday. Ryanair will cease operations at Strasbourg in the east of the country and Bergerac and Brive in the southwest, it added.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Comedian Ade Edmondson joins cast of Jersey drama Bergerac
Comedian Ade Edmondson and actress Lesley Sharp are to join the cast of Bergerac as filming begins on the second series of the UKTV detective plays Nigel, a new love interest for Charlie Hungerford, while Sharp plays Monica in the re-imagined 1980s detective drama Bergerac, set in Jersey. Damien Molony returns as Jim Bergerac, who is beginning to rebuild his life and starts dating meets Nicola, played by Camilla Beeput, but the detective is pulled into his next investigation before the romance has time to develop. The six-part series is written by Toby Whithouse, with Ashley Sanders, Emilie Robson, and Faebian Averies, and directed by Joss Agnew and Nicole Volavka. It is produced by BlackLight TV and Westward Studios, with support from Visit Jersey.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Lesley Sharp and Adrian Edmondson to join Bergerac cast for second series of Jersey detective drama
Actors Lesley Sharp and Adrian Edmondson will join the cast for the second series of Bergerac. The Jersey detective drama returns to U and U&DRAMA in 2026 after a successful first six episodes, which the network says were watched by an average of 2.4 million people - making it their highest-rating show for 2025 so far. It also reached an international audience after being sold to multiple territories, including ABC in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand and BBC First in Poland. Filming is now underway for the next instalment with Camilla Beeput, Turlough Convery, Jonathan Aris, Charles Dale, Georgina Rich and Denzel Baidoo also joining the cast. The second series will see Jim Bergerac, played by the returning Damien Molony, start to put his life back together after the loss of his wife. His mother-in-law, Charlie Hungerford, played by Zoë Wanamaker, has a new love interest and Bergerac also meets someone but he soon has to get to work after a groom is found murdered in his hotel room.
