Bergerac's John Nettles issues three-word response as he addresses return to reboot

Bergerac fans were delighted earlier this year when it was confirmed the popular show was getting a reboot three decades after the original ended.

By Tianna Corbin, TV reporter

JOHN NETTLES

John Nettles turned down a cameo role in Bergerac (Image: BBC)

Bergerac fans were delighted earlier this year when it was confirmed the popular show was getting a reboot three decades after the original ended.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the beloved BBC crime drama Bergerac was making a return.

Originally, it ran from 1981 to 1991 as viewers saw actor John Nettles play Detective Jim Bergerac deal with crimes in picturesque Jersey.

However, in the new six-part series people will see Damien Molony take on the iconic role instead.

Sadly, fans of the original won't be seeing any surprise appearances from John Nettles in the rebooted show as he explained his reasons to the BBC.

During Thursday's instalment of BBC Breakfast, the programme featured a special segment giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what is to come along with speaking to some of the cast.

They also spoke to John, asking if he got a call from bosses to star in the upcoming show.

He replied: "I got a lovely letter from them, they said will you come along and do a little cameo at the end?

"I thought, no because that would get in the way of the actual production. It would destroy, in some sense, the integrity of the production, I thought.

BERGERAC

The actor said he was "too old" to appear in the new series (Image: GETTY)

"In any case, I'm too old and I've retired, I've got to face up to that."

Tim Renouf, an actor in the upcoming series, touched on what people can expect to see in the reboot.

He said: "The framework of the story is the same in terms of it's about Bergerac, it's about him coming back to the force and getting back into investigating crime so that's the same.

"It's still going to have that glamour that I think we remember and have fond memories of in the original, but it's going to be grittier, the stories probably a bit darker.

Bergerac

The reboot is currently being filmed in Jersey (Image: BBC)

Along with Damien joining the show, actress Zoe Wanamaker is taking on the role as Charlie, Jim Bergerac's mother-in-law.

Actor Philip Glenister will also appear in the show, along with many Jersey locals in as extras.

Bergerac will air on Drama in 2025 and be available to stream for free on UKTV Play.

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