Update 20.12.2024
Comment
Some notes on the new proposed reboot. It has been "on the cards" with "big names" since 2021! That is with the same Brian Constantine who has two credits to his name on IMDB - Channel Report and Real Housewives of Jersey. True there are other production names - in 7 June 2022, we have Executive producers Phil Trethowan, Ben Bickerton and writer Toby Whithouse. That was just before the elections.
2022 just mentioned "an initial draft script" which suggests a pilot episode to see if it gets taken up. This has happened with BBC shows before - notably spin offs from Morse - Lewis and Endeavour, where viewing figures are perused and a decision is made with the distributor whether they want to make more series. Of course sometimes this does not happen. The 1996 "reboot" of Dr Who with Paul McGann did not perform well enough and the options were dropped. So any monies from Jersey may not be a series but just a one-off pilot. Clearly the mention in recent publicity of "having script" must before partly back to June 2022!
It also seems likely from the most recent publicity that it would now be limited to a streaming platform, not the BBC, so coverage might not be as widespread. Ironically if the States of Jersey stumped up the money, Islanders would have to pay to watch it!
Interestingly, the creator of the show, Robert Banks-Stewart, wanted John Nettles as the star precisely because he wasn't a "big name"!
Personally I have seen £200,0000 wasted on a film that never came to fruition. Sometimes money is sunk into a project and it never actually comes to the screen. The hype on this one makes me very sceptical indeed! That was a case where no due diligence was done or requested properly by the Minister, and it was sold with maximum hype. Forget "expressed an interest" - that's just more hype. Contracts have been signed would be realistic. And what contracts have been signed with distributors? Clearly none so far.
Ask yourself this: if it is such a wonderful project, why has nothing actually happened since October 2021? Bergerac used to visit "The Royal Barge" at St Aubin a lot. I wouldn't touch this project with a barge pole.
The Bergerac Files
Bergerac reboot has "big names" in the running for lead role
The titular Jersey-based detective is returning for a reboot – and it's possible that an A-lister could be Bergerac's new star.
Published: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Brian Constantine, an executive producer on the Bergerac reboot, told BBC Breakfast this morning that some "very big names" have expressed interest in becoming the next Jim Bergerac – the Jersey-based detective originally played by John Nettles.
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/bergerac-reboot-big-names-lead-newsupdate/
Bergerac series reboot ‘due to start filming in summer 2023’
Published: 7 June 2022
Before the pandemic the project was reaching its final stages with Paramount Network, Westward Studios, Artists’ Studios and Endemol Shine UK.
At the end of 2020, French TV production firm Banijay sealed its $2.2 billion acquisition of Endemol Shine from Disney and Apollo Global Management, which meant that the previous Bergerac project team was split up. Westward Studios, Banijay – and its company BlackLight – eventually decided to buy back the script from the owners of Paramount and start again, with the rights to develop the series being renewed last year.
https://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2022/06/07/bergerac-series-reboot-due-to-start-filming-in-summer-2023/
Producer says Bergerac could return by 2024
Published 7 June 2022
A reboot of a classic TV crime show set in Jersey could return to screens by 2024, an executive producer has said. The BBC detective series Bergerac ran for nine series from 1981 to 1991, with John Nettles as detective sergeant Jim Bergerac. Westward Studios executive producer Brian Constantine said the new production was in its final stages of development. He said they hoped to film in the island as much as possible.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-61720477
June 2022:
Executive producers Phil Trethowan, Ben Bickerton and writer Toby Whithouse were recently able to visit Jersey for a familiarisation and scouting exercise that resulted in numerous changes being made to the initial draft script.
Mr Whithouse – who has worked on major BBC shows including Being Human and Doctor Who – said: ‘I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity to explore and devise a new iteration of this iconic show. We know how important Bergerac is to the people of Jersey, and it’s an honour to have been loaned the keys.’
As well as seeing the different sites and locations first-hand, the team met senior members of government, the police and Visit Jersey.
Mr Trethowan said: ‘We’re incredibly excited to be involved in the reboot of one of TV’s most-loved detectives. We can’t wait to spend more time on the Island, which is the perfect backdrop for a show that can be as popular as its predecessor.’
https://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2022/06/07/bergerac-series-reboot-due-to-start-filming-in-summer-2023/
Bergerac set to return to screens with Poldark’s Aidan Turner in frame to play troubled detective
3 March 2024
“The company are ready to go, there are scripts written, they could start filming in the spring for broadcast in November and December of this year,” she said.
Westward Studios and Banijay – and the latter’s company BlackLight – have bought back the script from the owners of Paramount and renewed rights to develop the series along with a partnership of other companies.
It is thought that another broadcaster, not the BBC, is lined up to bring the series back to screens.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/03/bergerac-return-aidan-turner-david-tennant-james-norton/
Bergerac set to return to screens with Poldark’s Aidan Turner in frame to play troubled detective
Reboot of popular Eighties drama based in Jersey set for green light with David Tennant and James Norton also in running to star
Bergerac was a stunning success back in the day. From 1981 to 1991, the program pulled in 15 millions viewers on the BBC. It is now, apparently, going to make its comeback via a streaming platform.
There has been news about a Bergerac revival for some time. So while it will be difficult to picture a new DS Jim Bergerac, the news that the show could be returning soon will be exciting for fans in the UK. Expats and Americans who are fans of the original 1980s series may have to wait. Hopefully BritBox and/or Acorn TV, or whomever stream the show, will do so in other areas as well.
https://mikesfilmtalk.com/2024/03/04/bergerac-coming-back-to-british-telly-with-a-new-look/
04/03/2024
About Westward Studios
https://www.westwardstudios.co.uk/about
Westward Studios is a Jersey based production company. Set up in 2018 by Producer and Broadcaster Brian Constantine, it operates in the Channel Islands and the UK. The company already has several exciting projects in development – from high end drama to compelling documentaries. Westward has recently partnered with leading production house Blacklight on the exciting re-boot of Bergerac.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3508513/
Brian Constantine
Channel Report, Presenter 1976
The Real Housewives of Jersey, 2020-2021
2022 just mentioned "an initial draft script" which suggests a pilot episode to see if it gets taken up. This has happened with BBC shows before - notably spin offs from Morse - Lewis and Endeavour, where viewing figures are perused and a decision is made with the distributor whether they want to make more series. Of course sometimes this does not happen. The 1996 "reboot" of Dr Who with Paul McGann did not perform well enough and the options were dropped. So any monies from Jersey may not be a series but just a one-off pilot. Clearly the mention in recent publicity of "having script" must before partly back to June 2022!
It also seems likely from the most recent publicity that it would now be limited to a streaming platform, not the BBC, so coverage might not be as widespread. Ironically if the States of Jersey stumped up the money, Islanders would have to pay to watch it!
Interestingly, the creator of the show, Robert Banks-Stewart, wanted John Nettles as the star precisely because he wasn't a "big name"!
Personally I have seen £200,0000 wasted on a film that never came to fruition. Sometimes money is sunk into a project and it never actually comes to the screen. The hype on this one makes me very sceptical indeed! That was a case where no due diligence was done or requested properly by the Minister, and it was sold with maximum hype. Forget "expressed an interest" - that's just more hype. Contracts have been signed would be realistic. And what contracts have been signed with distributors? Clearly none so far.
Ask yourself this: if it is such a wonderful project, why has nothing actually happened since October 2021? Bergerac used to visit "The Royal Barge" at St Aubin a lot. I wouldn't touch this project with a barge pole.
The Bergerac Files
Bergerac reboot has "big names" in the running for lead role
The titular Jersey-based detective is returning for a reboot – and it's possible that an A-lister could be Bergerac's new star.
Published: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Brian Constantine, an executive producer on the Bergerac reboot, told BBC Breakfast this morning that some "very big names" have expressed interest in becoming the next Jim Bergerac – the Jersey-based detective originally played by John Nettles.
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/bergerac-reboot-big-names-lead-newsupdate/
Bergerac series reboot ‘due to start filming in summer 2023’
Published: 7 June 2022
Before the pandemic the project was reaching its final stages with Paramount Network, Westward Studios, Artists’ Studios and Endemol Shine UK.
At the end of 2020, French TV production firm Banijay sealed its $2.2 billion acquisition of Endemol Shine from Disney and Apollo Global Management, which meant that the previous Bergerac project team was split up. Westward Studios, Banijay – and its company BlackLight – eventually decided to buy back the script from the owners of Paramount and start again, with the rights to develop the series being renewed last year.
https://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2022/06/07/bergerac-series-reboot-due-to-start-filming-in-summer-2023/
Producer says Bergerac could return by 2024
Published 7 June 2022
A reboot of a classic TV crime show set in Jersey could return to screens by 2024, an executive producer has said. The BBC detective series Bergerac ran for nine series from 1981 to 1991, with John Nettles as detective sergeant Jim Bergerac. Westward Studios executive producer Brian Constantine said the new production was in its final stages of development. He said they hoped to film in the island as much as possible.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-61720477
June 2022:
Executive producers Phil Trethowan, Ben Bickerton and writer Toby Whithouse were recently able to visit Jersey for a familiarisation and scouting exercise that resulted in numerous changes being made to the initial draft script.
Mr Whithouse – who has worked on major BBC shows including Being Human and Doctor Who – said: ‘I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity to explore and devise a new iteration of this iconic show. We know how important Bergerac is to the people of Jersey, and it’s an honour to have been loaned the keys.’
As well as seeing the different sites and locations first-hand, the team met senior members of government, the police and Visit Jersey.
Mr Trethowan said: ‘We’re incredibly excited to be involved in the reboot of one of TV’s most-loved detectives. We can’t wait to spend more time on the Island, which is the perfect backdrop for a show that can be as popular as its predecessor.’
https://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2022/06/07/bergerac-series-reboot-due-to-start-filming-in-summer-2023/
Bergerac set to return to screens with Poldark’s Aidan Turner in frame to play troubled detective
3 March 2024
“The company are ready to go, there are scripts written, they could start filming in the spring for broadcast in November and December of this year,” she said.
Westward Studios and Banijay – and the latter’s company BlackLight – have bought back the script from the owners of Paramount and renewed rights to develop the series along with a partnership of other companies.
It is thought that another broadcaster, not the BBC, is lined up to bring the series back to screens.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/03/bergerac-return-aidan-turner-david-tennant-james-norton/
Bergerac set to return to screens with Poldark’s Aidan Turner in frame to play troubled detective
Reboot of popular Eighties drama based in Jersey set for green light with David Tennant and James Norton also in running to star
Bergerac Coming Back to British Telly With a New Look
Bergerac was a stunning success back in the day. From 1981 to 1991, the program pulled in 15 millions viewers on the BBC. It is now, apparently, going to make its comeback via a streaming platform.
There has been news about a Bergerac revival for some time. So while it will be difficult to picture a new DS Jim Bergerac, the news that the show could be returning soon will be exciting for fans in the UK. Expats and Americans who are fans of the original 1980s series may have to wait. Hopefully BritBox and/or Acorn TV, or whomever stream the show, will do so in other areas as well.
https://mikesfilmtalk.com/2024/03/04/bergerac-coming-back-to-british-telly-with-a-new-look/
04/03/2024
About Westward Studios
https://www.westwardstudios.co.uk/about
Westward Studios is a Jersey based production company. Set up in 2018 by Producer and Broadcaster Brian Constantine, it operates in the Channel Islands and the UK. The company already has several exciting projects in development – from high end drama to compelling documentaries. Westward has recently partnered with leading production house Blacklight on the exciting re-boot of Bergerac.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3508513/
Brian Constantine
Channel Report, Presenter 1976
The Real Housewives of Jersey, 2020-2021
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