BBC's reimagining of the early years of John Rebus confirmed for May release

BBC's reimagining of the early years of John Rebus confirmed for May release

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Wednesday, 1st May 2024
John Rebus walks into camera, with text reading 'Rebus' and a cityscape turned on its side on the left and right behind him
Richard Rankin as John Rebus (credit: BBC)

Rebus, the BBC’s adaptation of Ian Rankin’s detective novels, will be launching on Friday 17 May.

New images from the show have also been released by the broadcaster.

The show reimagines the famous detective as a younger Detective Sergeant. When his veteran brother Michael turns to crime in order to provide for his family, John Rebus begins to question the role the law plays in modern-day Scotland.

John Rebus leans on a railing outdoors at dusk
Richard Rankin as John Rebus (credit: BBC)

As policing changes to suit the will of technocrats, John is embroiled in an affair he knows is good for no-one. His daughter hardly sees him, leaving the detective feeling bereft of any purpose. John will need to put all this to one side, though, and train his still-developing sleuth instincts on another family matter: his brother.

Richard Rankin (The Replacement) stars as John Rebus, while Brian Ferguson (The Ipcress File) plays Michael. Lucie Shorthouse (Line of Duty) plays Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke, Rebus’s police partner.

John Rebus and Siobhan Clarke frown at a computer screen
Lucie Shorthouse joins the cast as Rebus's detective partner Siobhan Clarke (credit: BBC)

Produced by Eleventh Hour Films for Swedish streaming service Viaplay, the show was filmed across Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2023.

John and Michael Rebus stand by a house, looking into the middle distance, unsmiling
All in the family – Brian Ferguson as Michael Rebus (credit: BBC)

All six episodes of Rebus will be available on BBC iPlayer on Friday 17 May from 6.00am, before the first episode airs on BBC Scotland that day. Episode one will then air on BBC One on Saturday 18 May.

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Rebus, the BBC’s adaptation of Ian Rankin’s detective novels, will be launching on Friday 17 May.