Wowow, a premium pay-TV network in Japan, has recently acquired the U.K. detective drama “Bergerac,” a modern re-imagining of the 1980s BBC series. The six-part series, produced by BlackLight TV and Westward Studios, will make its debut in Japan on Wowow Prime and Wowow On Demand in August 2025. The deal was facilitated by Rashmi Bajpai, EVP Sales Asia at Banijay Rights.
Starring Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac, the series premiered in the U.K. on U and U&Drama in February and has already been renewed for a second season due to its strong performance. Bajpai expressed confidence in the show’s success in Japan, citing its compelling storytelling and talented cast.
Inspired by the original BBC show, the new version of “Bergerac” features a single character-driven mystery arc across all six episodes, a departure from the standalone serialized format of its predecessor. The writing team includes acclaimed writers such as Toby Whithouse, Brian Fillis, Catherine Tregenna, and Polly Buckle.
In addition to Molony, the cast includes ZoĆ« Wanamaker, Philip Glenister, and introduces ChloĆ© Sweet Love as Jim Bergerac’s daughter, Kim. Rie Izumi from Wowow’s International Acquisition team expressed enthusiasm about presenting this production to the Japanese audience, anticipating their captivation by the story and characters.
Joint Managing Directors at BlackLight TV, Ben Bickerton and Phil Trethowan, expressed delight in the show’s global appeal and partnership with Banijay Rights. They are confident in the universal appeal of “Bergerac” and look forward to expanding its audience.
“Bergerac” has already secured international distribution deals with broadcasters in various countries, including Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, New Zealand, and Australia. The show’s popularity continues to grow, with audiences around the world eagerly anticipating its premiere on Wowow later this year.
