Derry Girls star Damien Molony lands iconic role of Channel Island detective Jim Bergerac in TV reboot

An Irish actor has beaten off competition from some of the biggest names in British television to land the role of Jim Bergerac in the reboot of the classic detective series set on the island of Jersey.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Damien Molony, best known for his roles in TV shows Derry Girls and Brassic, will take over the role made famous by John Nettles in the 1980s.

The father-of-two, 40, said: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into the role of Jim Bergerac. John Nettles left an incredible legacy.

Molony’s casting in the reimagined version of the hit detective drama – which will air on UKTV – is likely to make him one of Britain’s biggest stars.

The new version of the drama, which will air on UKTV’s U&DRAMA and U in 2025, also stars Zoe Wanamaker as Bergerac’s mother-in-law and Life On Mars star Philip Glenister.

A string of big names including Doctor Who star David Tennant, Happy Valley’s James Norton and Poldark’s Aidan Turner have been linked with the show.

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TV bosses hope the series, which is being billed as a “re-imagining”, will emulate the success of the original, a ratings smash for the BBC when it ran between 1981 and 1991.

The new reincarnation of Jim Bergerac has many of the same demons as his predecessor. Viewers will meet him as a broken man dealing with alcoholism after the recent death of his wife. But he must put his personal struggles aside when a woman from a wealthy Jersey family is murdered.

In the original series, Bergerac had to deal with his businessman father-in-law, Charlie Hungerford, played by the late Terence Alexander.

This time, Charlie Hungerford’s character is Bergerac’s formidable mother-in-law. She is played by Zoe Wanamaker, one of the most famous British actors, known especially for the main role in the series My Family. In the opening episode, viewers will see her punishing her son-in-law for not prioritizing Kim’s daughter.

Philip Glenister – best known for playing DCI Gene Hunt in hit crime dramas Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes – will co-star as character Arthur Wakefield.

The format of the show has changed. Unlike the original, the new series will see a character-driven crime mystery run through all six episodes, rather than a new story for each episode.

Jersey tourism bosses are already keeping their fingers crossed that the new series will provide a much-needed tourism boost for Jersey.

Tricia Warwick, chief executive of Visit Jersey, said: “For many, the words ‘Jersey’ and ‘Bergerac’ are synonymous and we are delighted that the iconic TV series is returning to our island’s beautiful shores for filming this summer. Bergerac’s modern re-imagining provides an opportunity to celebrate the show’s heritage in Jersey, while reaching a new generation of fans who will be eager to ‘glide’ to the featured locations.”

John Nettles, 80, revealed last week that he turned down a cameo role in the new series because he felt he was too old.

He said: “I won’t because I can’t do it – I’m too old and I’d be in the way. ‘

In May, Nettles questioned whether anyone else could play the lead character.

Asked who should play Bergerac, he said: “I have no idea. To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone playing it but me.

The star also said she has doubts if the reboot will work.

He said: “I don’t see how a reboot is going to work. The show belonged to Thatcherite Britain, a time of fast money and pretty girls.

Mr Nettles was unavailable for comment last night.