British drama becomes hit in Japan despite mixed UK reviews
An iconic British drama has become an unlikely hit in Japan despite a string of mixed reviews in the UK. The six-part crime series, titled Bergerac, hit screens with a reboot back in February and stars Damien Molony, who stepped into John Nettles's lead role of Jim Bergerac. Originally airing in 1981, the remake follows the complicated detective Jim as he has to deal with the past case of a murdered woman alongside his own personal issues.
All six episodes are available to watch for free on the U&Drama streaming service. In an unexpected move, the Jersey-based series has caught the attention of TV bosses in Japan. Bergerac is now reportedly set to air on Japanese broadcaster WOWOW. However, the remake of the detective drama flopped in the UK and has a mediocre 6.4/10 rating on IMDb, with many favouring the original.
The Mail's Christopher Stevens scored the series four out of five stars but noted it 'very different production from the one that enthralled audiences in the Eighties'. Other critics weren't so positive and the Scottish Daily Mail's John Macleod expressed his dismay at the lack of 'original ideas' on television. The New Statesman penned how the reboot 'lost all its drollness and sense of fun'.
The publication dubbed it 'the half-hearted return of Bergerac'. Radio Times was more positive and scored the reboot three out of five stars and praised how 'nods to the original will tick boxes for longtime fans'.
Though the publication noted 'there's no sign of the reggae-tinged accordion theme tune, which was a banger'. While some fans missed the charm of the YEAR series and penned on Rotten Tomatoes: 'What a shame, it's all got to serious, none of the understated humour of the original series, which I've started watching again, far better.'
Another added: 'Tried it this evening and sorry the main character has the charisma of a goldfinch and high doses of being annoying and self-centred. 'John Nettles had the ability to make you like him... which this new character doesn't.
'Without John Nettles Midsomer Murders would have fold as this series will very quickly under its new straight jacket of cliches and bad acting.' Bergerac 2025 hit an impressive 1.8million viewers per episode when it first hit screens earlier this year.
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