Bergerac is back for a “modern reimagining” of the iconic 1980s detective show.
Bergerac has returned more than 30 years on with fans questioning what happened to its original cast.
BBC has given hit detective series Bergerac a fresh new look with troubled DCI Jim Bergerac (played by Damien Molony) back and ready to investigate head-scratching crimes months after the death of his wife.
The first episode sees Bergerac dive back into the world of policing after a woman from one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered.
But as the reboot drama debuted tonight, Friday, July 24, fans could not help but wonder what happened to the original stars who made Bergerac a hit.
Where is the Bergerac original cast now?
Jim Bergerac – John Nettles
Actor John Nettles led the way as heartthrob detective Jim Bergerac for nine seasons in the 1980s series, launching the now 82-year-old’s career.
When the show came to an end, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company before taking on his next iconic role in 1997 as DCI Thomas Barnaby in ITV’s Midsomer Murders.
He remained in the detective drama until 2011 and later went on to have a recurring role as Ray Penvenen in BBC period drama Poldark.
Nettles has since retired from acting and, according to The i Paper, he turned down a cameo role in this latest Bergerac reboot stating “I’m too old and I’d just get in the way.”
Susan Young – Louise Jameson
Taking on the role of Jim Bergerac’s estate agent girlfriend Susan Young is actress Louise Jameson.
She previously played Doctor Who companion Leela in the late 1970s and regularly appeared in Bergerac between 1985 and 1990.
Jameson starred as Rosa di Marco in EastEnders from 1998 to 2000 but since 2022, she has been best associated with Mary Goskirk in Emmerdale.
Charlotte – Annette Badland
Charlotte was the secretary in the Bureau des Etrangers in the first three seasons of Bergerac.
She is played by actress Annette Badland who has been in shows such as Cutting It, Coronation Street and EastEnders as Babe Smith.
Fans will also recognise her as Mae the landlady in Ted Lasso and Nanny Bingo in Big Boys.
Deborah Bergerac – Deborah Grant
Actress Deborah Grant portrayed Deborah Bergerac, Jim Bergerac’s ex-wife.
She played receptionist Carol Johnson in ITV medical drama Peak Practice, Leonora in BBC sitcom Bread and the mum of Tim and Lucy in the Lee Mack comedy Not Going Out.
Marianne Bellshade – Celia Imrie
Actress Celia Imrie starred in the first two seasons of Bergerac as Jim’s girlfriend Marianne Bellshade.
The 74-year-old actress has starred in an abundance of iconic films throughout her career, including Calendar Girls, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and the Bridget Jones franchise.
She is also one of the mains stars of Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club and appeared in other shows like Dinner Ladies, Kingdom and Cranford. She proved a hit in the first UK edition of BBC gameshow Celebrity Traitors.
Charlie Hungerford – Terence Alexander
Charlie Hungerford, Bergerac’s former father-in-law and dad of Deborah Bergerac, was played by actor Terence Alexander.
He starred as Dr Ian McLaren in Bless This House, Sir Greville Macdonald in The New Statesman and featured in films like The Seven Dials Murder and The Day of the Jackal.
Alexander made his last TV appearance in 1999 in Casualty before retiring due to poor health.
He died 10 years later in 2009 at the age of 86.
Barney Crozier – Sean Arnold
Officer in charge of the Bureau des Etrangers Barney Crozier was portrayed by actor Sean Arnold.
He starred as Mr Llewelyn in children’s show Grange Hill, Harry Fisher in medical drama Doctors and the chief constable in the BBC series Merseybeat.
Arnold passed away at the age of 79 in 2020.
Bergerac is available to watch on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
