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The Cult of...

Sunday Night

Episode 7: Bergerac

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC FourLatest broadcast: on BBC Four

Series which unearths the history and anecdotes behind cult British Sunday night drama looks at Jersey-set detective series Bergerac, which made a star of John Nettles.

Bergerac had the right kind of setting for a traditional Sunday night drama and did wonders for the Jersey tourist industry, but finding a contemporary cop show in the Sunday night schedules was far more unusual. And Jim Bergerac wasn't even the usual cop, with his struggle to overcome his alcoholism and inability to shake off his ex-wife Debbie or his dodgy ex-father-in-law, Charlie Hungerford.

But Jersey, Jim and his list of lovers kept viewers tuning in in their millions, as did the all-action style of future Bond director Martin Campbell. Success and popularity got the tabloids interested - which meant a payout for Liza Goddard when one paper confused her on-screen interest in John Nettles for the real thing. And whatever happened to Jim's distinctive Triumph Roadster?

Interviewees include John Nettles, Sean Arnold, Liza Goddard, Louise Jameson, Deborah Grant, series creator Robert Banks Stewart, writer Rod Beacham and director Martin Campbell. Show less

Contributors

Narrator:
Meera Syal
Executive Producer:
Toby Stevens
Executive Producer:
Alan Tyler

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