Another fabulous interview, with Virgin Media.

Damien Molony tells us about the revival of classic detective series Bergerac on U&Drama | Virgin Media

"Hi Damien! Let’s get started… Why did you want to work on Bergerac?

I’d worked with Toby Whithouse before on a show called Being Human, which was my first ever TV show, and I jumped at the chance to work with him again. What I love about Toby’s script is that he’s created a Bergerac to introduce a new generation to the character and his adventures on the island of Jersey. I watch a lot of cop shows too, like Happy Valley, Cagney & Lacey, Touch Of Frost and Line Of Duty, and I think it’s really important to keep the audience guessing all the time before the rug gets pulled out from underneath them. So, I was hooked from that chat on and here we are.

How did you make the iconic role of Jim Bergerac your own?

I read a lot about bereavement including this wonderful book called When Breath Becomes Air, which is written by a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Ultimately the book was finished by his wife and daughter and you very quickly get a sense of what an illness does to family unit and the people who are left behind like Jim Bergerac. I also spoke to a lot of people who’d gone to AA and the very real everyday struggles that they go through. And I watched Brian O’Driscoll’s dressing room team talks to the Irish rugby team because I’d never spoken to a team of people and got them to do something before!

Did you take any inspiration from John Nettles’ character?

I didn’t really want to be tied into trying to recreate what John had created so brilliantly in the original Bergerac. But you also want to honour everything that's been achieved before you and there are loads of nods to the original Bergerac like it being set on Jersey, the leather jacket and the great car. We have that car from the very first episode and it’s in such beautiful condition with its huge steering wheel and sofa-like front seat. It was really a coup for us to get it and as the series progresses, we find out that the car was a gift from Jim’s late wife which is why he sleeps in it at night-time. The car is essentially a character in its own right!

Was Bergerac a staple show in your household when you were growing up?

When I’ve spoken to people about playing the role of Bergerac, you could immediately see this glow from them because to so many people Bergerac means a Saturday night at home with family watching the television. It’s been a lovely wave to crest because we’re making a show that everyone is so happy is back. I haven’t done something before that has such an instinctive positivity and we owe so much to the original for that feeling.

Would you like to star in any other reboots of classic TV shows?

I’d love to be in MacGyver. I used to dance around the kitchen to the theme tune and it's one of the reasons that I wanted to become an actor. He had this Swiss Army knife that he could just do anything with! There’s also Dangerfield with Nigel Le Vaillant as a doctor who’s constantly drafted into doing autopsies so there was always an element of detective work there. I loved that show and I watched a lot of old episodes in preparation for Bergerac – Dangerfield’s also a widower with teenage kids.

You shot the series in Jersey. Would you recommend it as a place to visit?

I’d be back in a heartbeat. I can’t believe that more things aren't filmed in Jersey. It’s as beautiful in 2°C as it is in 32°C. On our first day of shooting, we were up at 3am to capture this incredible sunrise over Bouley Bay and then three hours later we were on the other side of the island filming at this massive windswept beach at St Ouen’s Bay. Then there’s the historic St Helier, the beautiful countryside of St Martin, Gorey Pier and St Brelade’s Bay which has golden sands, lovely hotels and ice-cream.

Before you go, we need to know if you’ll be watching the final series of Brassic?

Oh yeah! I’m still on all the actors’ WhatsApp groups so I’m privy to lots of the gossip and I can't wait to see how Danny and Joe bring it all to a close. I had five very happy years on the show."