Banijay Rights Takes Bergerac Stateside

Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, today announces that PBS Distribution in the US has acquired drama series Bergerac ahead of next week’s London TV Screenings showcase.

In a deal negotiated by Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions & Acquisitions at Banijay Rights, PBS Distribution has secured the first two seasons of Bergerac to launch on PBS in the US this year.

Produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK, Jersey-based Westward Studios and supported by Visit Jersey for free-streaming service, U and U&DRAMA in the UK, the series sees Damien Molony (The Split, Brassic, Crashing) star in the iconic role of Jim Bergerac. Bergerac’s first season was watched by 2.4 million viewers across U and U&DRAMA, making it the highest-rating show on UKTV’s network in 2025, while a second season is set to launch early this year.

Matt Creasey said: “Stylish, enthralling and an edge-of-your-seat detective drama, Bergerac is destined to be huge draw for US audiences, so we couldn’t be more pleased with this deal. Featuring Jim Bergerac’s iconic Triumph Roadster car and set against the stunning backdrop of Jersey, this is a series that continues to generate worldwide attention as we head into next week’s London TV Screenings.”

Germaine Sweet, Head of Content Acquisition and Sales, PBS Distribution, added: “This smart re-imagining of the iconic detective series is sure to capture the attention of audiences in the US.”

Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan, Executive Producers, BlackLight TV, said: “We are thrilled that Bergerac will find a new audience in the US. With its gripping stories, stellar cast and stunning locations, we are sure they will be hooked.”

The agreement follows previously announced international sales to broadcasters including WOWOW in Japan, NPO in Netherlands, VRT in Belgium, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland, NRK in Norway, DR in Denmark, BBC First in Poland, TVNZ in New Zealand and ABC in Australia.

Based on the original series created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran for nine series on the BBC between 1981 and 1991, this modern re-imagining honours the iconic detective drama, but with a contemporary twist. Unlike the original hit from the 80s, the new series sees one character-led murder mystery run across all six episodes, in place of a new storyline each episode.

Bergerac is written by Toby Whithouse (The Red King, Being Human), alongside Brian Fillis (Trust, Sirens), Catherine Tregenna (The One That Got Away, Three Pines),  Polly Buckle (Love Rat, A Discovery of Witches) and Emilie Robson (War, The Case), and Ashley Sanders and Faebian Averies who joined the writing team for series two.

The drama also features Zoë Wanamaker (My Family, Shadow and Bone, Black Ops) as Charlie Hungerford, Philip Glenister (Steeltown Murders, Life on Mars) as Arthur Wakefield, Chloé Sweet Love as Jim’s daughter, Kim, Robert Gilbert (Big Boys, Killing Eve) as Barney Crozier, Lesley Sharp (Red Eye, The Full Monty) as Monica Barton and Adrian Edmondson (Alien: Earth, Death In Paradise) as Charlie’s new flame, Nigel.