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Bergerac

Bergerac

1981–1991Ended9 seasons87 episodes~90 min/epMidcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

Jim Bergerac is a detective sergeant in The Foreigners Office who likes to do things his own way. While dealing with his own personal demons Bergerac has a knack of finding trouble, and sometimes causing it.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Bergerac?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Bergerac streaming on BritBox.

Subscription

Highlights

What stands out about Bergerac?

Bergerac earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Bergerac worth watching?

Bergerac's Midcredits score is the 49th percentile of all shows, from 2.9K ratings across 2 sources. 73% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

49th percentile

Better received than 49% of shows

42nd percentile among Crime38th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)44th
Approval (how many liked it)55th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

69 /100

44th percentile of all shows

40th percentile among Crime32nd percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

73% liked it

55th percentile of all shows

45th percentile among Crime43rd percentile among 1980s
73% rated it 7–1027% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

74th percentile

2.9K ratings across platforms

57th percentile among Crime58th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Bergerac is a dated but nostalgic 1980s detective series set in beautiful Jersey, anchored by John Nettles' performance, though its plots are often far-fetched and it loses steam in later seasons.

Fans praised

  • John Nettles' charisma and presence carry the show
  • Beautiful Jersey scenery and locations as a major draw
  • Strong guest casts and recurring characters like Charlie Hungerford

Detractors panned

  • Ridiculous body count and unrealistic crime rate for a small island
  • Inconsistent acting and wooden lead in later seasons
  • Mediocre scripts and dated production values

What stands out

Atmosphere78

Idyllic Jersey setting and 1980s nostalgia factor

ActingDivisive76

John Nettles praised for charisma and presence; detractors call him wooden

Cinematography74

Beautiful Jersey locations, but dated picture quality

CharactersDivisive72

Charlie Hungerford a highlight, but later overused; Bergerac's arc engaging

OriginalityDivisive70

Avoided formula, fresh plots; detractors see it as derivative of its era

Plot and storyDivisive66

Original twists and varied storylines, but often unbelievable crime rates

Tension60

Some standout episodes, but inconsistency across run

Pacing58

Fast-moving 50-minute episodes; some find them samey

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 15 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart

Episodes

9 seasons

Season 9 · 1991 · 10 episodes

  • S9E1
    S9E1

    Something to Hide

    Jan 5, 1991
  • S9E2
    S9E2

    The Dark Horse

    Jan 12, 1991
  • S9E3
    S9E3

    Snow in Provence

    Jan 19, 1991
  • S9E4
    S9E4

    The Evil That Men Do

    Jan 26, 1991
  • S9E5
    S9E5

    My Friend Charlie

    Feb 2, 1991
  • S9E6

    On the Rocks

    Feb 9, 1991

Watch experience

What is Bergerac like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — an even-paced watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseContemplative
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe show plays its cases straight but maintains a light, often nostalgic warmth toward its setting and lead character.
The rideEpisodes sustain a moderate tension during investigations, with quieter, reflective moments centered on Bergerac's personal life; the middle seasons likely deepen his character arc.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional three-act pattern: a crime is introduced, investigated, and resolved in a final confrontation.
Episode formatEach episode presents a self-contained crime case, but Bergerac's backstory—his alcoholism, family relationships—forms a serialized emotional arc across seasons.
Season formatThe core cast remains the same, but each season explores different personal and professional challenges for Bergerac, with some seasonal storylines.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodWistful · 6% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves a pleasant, nostalgic warmth, ideal for easy watching.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MysteryPuzzle
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% (this title) · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Puzzle: A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).

8% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeEach episode presents a self-contained crime, typically a murder or con, which DS Bergerac solves through clue-gathering and interrogation, inviting the viewer to identify the culprit alongside him.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% (this title) · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% (this title) · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsRedemption · 3% of shows: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Isolation · 3% of shows
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on bringing criminals to justice through Bergerac's maverick methods, while his own recovery from alcoholism and strained family life add themes of personal redemption and social isolation.
StanceThe series observes the pursuit of justice on a small island, without romanticizing or condemning the system; Bergerac is the clear focal point.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRuralRealistic
Orchestral modernJazzSupportive music · original score
SettingThe island of Jersey, Channel Islands, in the 1980s
MusicThe theme music evokes the coastal, slightly melancholic atmosphere of Jersey.

Content guide

Is Bergerac okay for kids?

As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its sexual content at mild (33/100), language at minimal (0/100) and drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Mild · 3 of 5 categories
not ranked
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (6 votes across 3 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Bergerac have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Bergerac?

Cast

At least 3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

John Nettles
as Jim Bergerac
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Terence Alexander
as Hungerford
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Sean Arnold
as Crozier
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Mela White
as Diamante Lil
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Louise Jameson
as Susan Young
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
David Kershaw
as Ben Lomas
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
John Telfer
as Willy Pettit
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Nancy Mansfield
as Peggy Masters
Deborah Grant
as Deborah
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Annette Badland
as Charlotte
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

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What are shows like Bergerac?

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