Celebrities Shine at Bergerac Premiere in Jersey

The highly anticipated premiere of the reimagined Bergerac took place in Jersey, with the show's executive producer calling it "an honour" to debut the series on the island.

Brian Constantine, the executive producer, promised "an unforgettable evening" as the event kicked off at 15:30 at Cineworld in St Helier.

The modern adaptation of the classic detective drama features Brassic actor Damien Molony in the lead role as Jim Bergerac, alongside Zoë Wanamaker and Philip Glenister. The first season is set to air on Thursday. The original Bergerac, created by Robert Banks Stewart, aired on the BBC from 1981 to 1991. The Jersey government, which invested £1.2 million in the revival, hopes the show will provide a tourism boost for the island.

Returning to Familiar Shores

Philip Glenister, who portrays Arthur Wakefield in the new series, shared his personal connection to the Channel Islands, saying: "I have a strong affection for the Channel Islands, so it's always a pleasure to be here." Glenister appeared in the final episode of the original Bergerac alongside Bill Nighy, Simon Williams, and John Nettles. Reflecting on his return, he added: "It was a really enjoyable show to make, so to be part of the new series is really special for me.

"We were here around August and September, so the weather was fab, the people were lovely, and the company was great."

Excitement from Locals

As anticipation built ahead of the screening, islander Boy Mooney recalled how the original Bergerac shaped his early memories. "That's why we came to Jersey in the first place all those years ago," he said.

Jane Skelhorn, 72, shared her hopes for the reboot, saying she wanted the new series to "actually show the island as well as being a good detective series."

With its mix of nostalgia and fresh storytelling, the Bergerac revival looks set to captivate both long-time fans and new audiences alike.