Black Mirror: Is Bergerac a Real TV Show?

Black Mirror is back! And along with its sixth season release on Netflix, the show comes with a lot of pop culture references from years back.

The second episode, entitled Loch Henry, gives us a true crime documentary experience with a twist. And in this episode, there's reference to a TV show called Bergerac.

This makes us wonder, Black Mirror: is Bergerac a real TV show in the Loch Henry episode? Or is it a fictional TV series, much like the location of the episode, Loch Henry?

Here's what we know about Bergerac.

Is Bergerac a Real TV Show?

Credit: BBC

Surprisingly, yes. Bergerac is, indeed, a real British crime TV series that aired from October 18, 1981 to December 26, 1991. The show was produced by BBC in partnership with Australian Seven Network.

The show stars John Nettles as detective sergeant Jim Bergerac, who later becomes a private investigator.

Coincidentally, the show is said to be in the final stages of its reboot and is expected to air in 2024. Perhaps its appearance on Black Mirror sets up the show's return to the screen?

Why Was Bergerac Cancelled?

Credit: BBC

There isn't much information on why the show was canceled in 1991. But during the height of its run, the show tackled on controversial topics.

In one episode, they unmasked an old man as a Nazi war criminal. His age, however, raised some concerns among viewers.

Another concern about the show was that there were some supernatural elements included in the material. There were also some unpleasant twists that did not appear to give a proper ending to its episodes.

Now that Bergerac is being rebooted, many are concerned about the show's material and how it could earn the ire of woke viewers. 

Despite its success, the show has been said to feature "outdated attitudes, racist language, and humour some viewers may find offensive."

We'll have to wait and see how controversial this reboot will be with its new generation of viewers.

Here's the trailer of the classic TV show:

What Is Bergerac’s Connection to Black Mirror Loch Henry Episode?

Credit: Netflix

So we know that Bergerac was mentioned in Loch Henry episode. The question is, how does the classic TV show relate to the Black Mirror episode?

Indirectly, Bergerac plays a vital role in how Davis (played by Samuel Blenkin) and Pia (played by Myha'la Herrold) discover the truth behind the murders in the sleepy Scottish town.

As it turned out Davis' mother, Janet (played by Monica Dolan) had a terrible past with her late husband and another man called Iain Adair.

Credit: Netflix

For years, the town thought of Adair as the serial killer who tortured his victims in a secret bunker in his house. But as Pia discovers, her boyfriend's parents actually played a hand in the tortures.

This was discovered by Pia as she plays an old Bergerac VHR tape, which Janet and Kenneth have been filming over.

Janet believes that Pia has learned her awful secret and decides to kill herself. Before she does this, she leaves behind her collection of Bergerac tapes with the murders to her son with a note that reads: "for your film."

She doesn't realize, however, that her secret was actually safe since Pia slipped and hit her head on a rock.

But that's classic Black Mirror for you.

You can watch the full Loch Henry episode on Netflix.

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