Richard Rankin takes lead role in Rebus reboot
Rebus first hit the airwaves on ITV between 26th April 2000 and the 7th of December 2007. The detective drama series is based on the Inspector Rebus novels by the Scottish author Ian Rankin. The series was produced by STV Studios across four series.
The first series starred John Hannah as DI John Rebus, with Ken Stott appearing as Rebus in three subsequent series. Now Richard Rankin is to play the famous role for Eleventh Hour Films to stream exclusively on Viaplay.
Richard Rankin:
“I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Rebus. I’m a big fan of the series and Sir Ian Rankin. I feel very lucky to be given the honour of bringing such an iconic Scottish character back to TV screens and will give all I have to do it justice.”
Richard Rankin currently stars as Roger Wakefield in Outlander, having previously featured in thrillers Trust Me and The Replacement as well as drama series Thirteen, The Syndicate and From Darkness. In the states, Richard guest starred in the political thriller American Odyssey. In 2021, he appeared opposite Saoirse Ronan and James McArdle in hit play The Tragedy of Macbeth at The Almeida Theatre.
The compelling new story follows 40-year-old police detective John Rebus (Rankin), who finds himself at a psychological crossroads following an altercation with an infamous Edinburgh gangster.
Richard Rankin takes lead role in Rebus reboot. Image: Hamish Brown
At odds with a job increasingly driven by corporate technocrats, involved in a toxic affair he knows he needs to end, and all but supplanted in his daughter’s life by his ex-wife’s wealthy new husband, Rebus begins to wonder if he still has a role to play – either as a family man or a police officer. In a world of divisive politics and national discord, does the law still have meaning, or is everyone reverting to an older set of rules? And if so, why shouldn’t Rebus do so too?
Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group Chief Content Officer:
“To have such a famous character spearheading Viaplay’s original storytelling in the UK is a privilege. We’re delighted to have the brilliant Richard Rankin onboard to portray Rebus and all his complexities. I have no doubt that viewers are in for a treat.”
The series aims to be a fresh and thrilling offering in the high-end crime genre, with a globally recognisable character at the heart of the story. Sir Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels have sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into 36 languages.
Sir Ian Rankin:
“Rebus has been a big part of my life for a long time now and to work with Gregory Burke to create a new story that sees him navigate life as a younger man in a contemporary (and ever-changing) Scotland has been a truly fascinating process. I’m very much looking forward to watching Richard bring the character to life – he’s the perfect fit for the role, and not just because we coincidentally share the same surname!”
Viaplay launched in the UK in November 2022 with a unique offering of award-winning Viaplay content, curated third-party series and films, and live sports. Find out more and subscribe to Viaplay in the UK here: www.viaplay.com/gb-en
