The BBC has acquired Eleventh Hour Films’ new adaptation of Ian Rankin’s Rebus novels, starring Richard Rankin as the titular ‘tec. 

Gregory Burke has adapted the books, with the 6 x 45’ series originally destined for Viaplay.   

The drama reimagines John Rebus as a younger Detective Sergeant drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality.

The series shot in Glasgow and Edinburgh last year.   

Ian Rankin said: “I’m thrilled that Rebus is coming to the BBC. A great cast and a compelling story – I really can’t wait for viewers to see it.”  

Writer Burke remarked “It has been a huge privilege to work on a new show with Ian Rankin’s iconic character at its centre, and I couldn’t be more delighted that it is to be broadcast on the BBC.”  

Jill Green, CEO of Eleventh Hour Films, added: “We are so excited to be bringing a fresh, modern reimagining of Rebus to a wide audience on the BBC. This is an emotionally charged series from Gregory Burke and one that behaves differently in the crime genre space.”  

The six-part series is directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton and is produced by Angela Murray. Paula Cuddy, Jill Green, Eve Gutierrez, Tomas Axelsson, Isabelle Hultén, Niall MacCormick, Gregory Burke and Ian Rankin are the executive producers. Rebus is distributed internationally by Viaplay Content Distribution.

Image of Richard Rankin as John Rebus, credit: Mark Mainz/Eleventh Hour Films via the BBC.