Filming for the second series of Bergerac has begun in Jersey and the UK, and new cast members have joined the reimagined detective drama. Here’s a look at who will be appearing in the upcoming series…

Commissioned by BBC-owned broadcaster UKTV, the new six-part series follows the successful launch of the first season in February on U and U&DRAMA, which garnered 2.4 million consolidated viewers.

The first season of the long-anticipated reboot – starring Irish actor Damien Molony in the lead role of Jim Bergerac – offered a “contemporary twist” on the classic detective series created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran on the BBC between 1981 and 1991.

This week, those behind the TV show announced that filming for series two is now “underway” in the wake of successful location scouting.

UKTV has also confirmed that two well-known English actors, who have starred in popular British comedy series and crime dramas, have joined the cast.

Here’s a rundown of each actor announced so far – and where you might recognise them from…

Newcomers…

Adrian Edmondson

Adrian Edmondson is known for his roles in the cult classic sitcom The Young Ones, where he played the violent punk Vyvyan Basterd, and in the slapstick comedy Bottom, which he co-wrote and starred in as Edward ‘Eddie’ Hitler.

In the new series, he joins as Nigel, a new love interest for Bergerac’s mother-in-law, Charlie Hungerford (Zoë Wanamaker).

The Young One’s star also appeared as Captain Peavey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Ilya Rostov in the BBC’s War & Peace.

He has also taken on stage roles, such as Scrooge in the RSC’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol.

Lesley Sharp

Known for her work in the crime drama Scott & Bailey and the comedy-drama After Life, Sharp joins the cast as a character named Monica.

She has also appeared in comedy films like Naked, Priest, and The Full Monty.

Other newcomers

Joining them as newcomers to the show are English actress and singer Camilla Beeput, who will star as a character called Nicola – a new visitor to the island and potential love interest for Jim – and is known for starring in crime drama series The Tower and thriller series Hijack.

She will star alongside Turlough Convery, who will play a character called Michael, and is known for his roles in historical drama Sanditon and spy thriller Killing Eve.

Also joining the cast is Jonathan Aris, who will play a character called Richard Gibbon, and is known for his roles in the recent thriller series Red Eye and the fantasy adventure series His Dark Materials.

Charles Dale is set to play a character called Ian, and is recognised for his role in the medical drama Casualty and his work in the contemporary crime drama Sherwood.

Georgina Rich will portray a character called Ruth, and is known for starring in the popular romantic comedy-drama Heartstopper and the financial world drama Industry.

Rounding out the new additions is Denzel Baidoo, who will play a character called Andy, and is known for his roles in the thriller series Restless and Suspicion

Returning cast members…

Damien Molony

Damien Molony will again star as the reimagined Jim Bergerac, who was originally portrayed on-screen by John Nettles.

Molony first appeared on screens in BBC Three’s Being Human in 2012, before going on to star in Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Crashing, Roisin Conaty’s GameFace, Sky One comedy Brassic and British legal drama, The Split. 

No stranger to investigative work, he was also DC Albert Flight in BBC’s Ripper Street and DS Jack Weston in Channel 5’s Suspects.

Most recently, he starred as ‘hot plumber’ Gabriel in acclaimed Channel 4 show Derry Girls.

But Molony’s acting credits also extend on-screen, with a number of notable stage appearances.

Zoë Wanamaker

Zoë Wanamaker CBE returns to play the role of Jim’s mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford, in a twist on the original series.

Many will recognise Wanamaker from classic BBC sitcom My Family, where she starred alongside Robert Lindsay, as well as her iconic role as Madam Hooch in the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.

The American-British actor has also worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was made a CBE in the 2001 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Philip Glenister

Philip Glenister is again making a return to the detective world by featuring in the new series, having previously captivated audiences as DCI Gene Hunt in BBC series Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes, in addition to starring as DCI William Bell in State of Play.

In more recent years, he has appeared in the likes of Belgravia, where he was the lead, Inside No 9, and, most recently, After the Flood.

Other returners

They will also be joined by Robert Gilbert, who will play a character called Barney Crozier, and is known for his roles in the British comedy series Big Boys, the thriller series Insomnia, and the spy thriller Killing Eve.

Chloé Sweetlove will portray Jim’s daughter Kim Bergerac, and is known for her roles in Who Is My Husband and the crime thriller series The Crow Girl.

Sasha Behar will appear as Uma Dalal, and is recognised for her roles in the long-running soap operas Coronation Street and EastEnders, as well as the medical drama Casualty.

Celine Arden is set to play a character called Kara Molloy, and is known for appearances in the historical romance series Bridgerton, the mystery drama Father Brown, and the comedy series The Cleaner.

Finally, Luke Nunn will play a character called Simon Calvert, and is recognised for his roles in the Star Wars prequel series Andor, the historical drama film The Road Dance, and the medical drama Casualty.

What will the second season be about?

The synopsis teases: “The second series will see Jim Bergerac (Molony) starting to put his life back together, while his mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford (Wanamaker) has a new man in her life. Jim’s even tentatively dating, with his daughter encouragement, although it’s a big step for him. But then he meets Nicola, a visitor to Jersey, and they connect. Could this be the start of something for Jim?

“However, before the relationship even has time to blossom, Jim is pulled back into his next big case. When the groom at a wedding reception on the island is found murdered in his hotel room, the wedding party comes under intense suspicion and scrutiny. Jim will have to decipher the victim’s cryptic last words from his speech if he is ever going to bring the killer to justice. And when Jim starts to unravel old secrets, more skeletons come to light, making this his most intricate case yet.”

More to follow…