I recently discovered Bergerac, an older nine season detective TV series on BritBox, that I’ve completely fallen in love with. So much so that several times a week I’ve taken to watching an episode right before I go to sleep. I’m on the third season already so it’s definitely keeping my interest.
Bergerac was apparently phenomenally popular during it’s original run time in Britain but this is the first I’ve heard of it. The shocker is that it stars a younger, and extremely good-looking, John Nettles of Midsomer Murders fame.
I didn’t connect the main character as being played by Nettles initially because of just how good he looks. It kept bugging me, though. One of those “I know this actor. Who is this actor?” thoughts that would not go away. When it finally clicked I couldn’t help smiling. It’s not even that he hasn’t aged well by the time he plays John Barnaby in Midsomer Murders. I think it’s more a compliment on his acting because the two characters are so very different that I didn’t “get it” at first.
But he also definitely deserves a “wow” for how good he looks in Bergerac.
But that’s just my reaction to the actor. The show is a solid detective series of it’s era. I’ve seen it compared to several different things but what it reminds me of most is the original Magnum PI. Maybe it’s simply the island setting but I don’t think so. It’s more low key but has a very similar vibe to Magnum except for Bergerac actually being a police office. Although in later seasons, I think he does become a private investigator at least for a time so there’s that. Put it this way, basically he’s a bit of a rogue and drives a classic car. Sound familiar?
He even has a Higgins type character in his former-father-in-law.
Yes, I know it sounds weird but he spends more time talking to his former father-in-law, Charlie Hungerford, than his ex-wife or their daughter. Why? Because Charlie usually ends up somehow getting involved in Bergerac’s cases. And complaining about it a lot. Like I said, just like Higgins from Magnum PI. If you know, you know.
Overall though it’s highly entertaining. Check it out if you love British style detectives.
Oh, one other thing, before I forget. Through experience I’ve learned to immediately check for related books when I find a new-to-me detective series. While there weren’t any that inspired the Bergerac series, there are some that are based on it. I may even check one out eventually.