Viaplay announced today that Viaplay, Eleventh Hour Films, and author Ian Rankin will partner for a major reimagining of Rankin’s iconic detective, Inspector John Rebus.
Crime novel enthusiasts and fans of British TV crime dramas are probably well aware of Inspector John Rebus, the iconic detective created by internationally best-selling author Ian Rankin. The character appears in Rankin’s long-running series of “Inspector Rebus” novels and in the popular television series Rebus starring Ken Stott and John Hannah.
Well, get ready for a brand new “Rebus” TV series.
Set in contemporary Edinburgh, the six-part series places Rebus at the heart of a compelling new story devised by screenwriter Gregory Burke (Entebbe, ’71). The drama sees the 30-something Rebus, recently divorced and demoted to Detective Sergeant, working with a new colleague, Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke. While Rebus is struggling to deal with the changes in his personal and professional life, his daughter, Sammy, and ex-wife, Rhona, are enjoying an affluent existence with Rhona’s new partner — all as Rebus’s brother, Michael, is finding out that, in a society where the gaps between the haves and have-nots keep widening, taking shortcuts to provide for your family is no longer a temptation but a necessity.
Said Sir Ian Rankin:
“I’m hugely excited at the thought of Rebus returning to our screens and it’s a privilege to have Gregory Burke write the scripts. I’ve been a fan since `Gagarin Way’ and know that he understands the world of Rebus and the compelling central character. I’m chuffed to bits that Viaplay and Eleventh Hour are involved in this groundbreaking endeavour and I can’t wait to share the results!”
Ian Rankin’s “Inspector Rebus” novels and standalone thrillers have sold 30 million copies and been translated into thirty-six languages, with a major fan base in the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey and Finland, and have topped the Sunday Times and New York Times best-seller lists. Rankin has received an OBE for services to literature and was awarded a knighthood in 2022. His latest novel, A Heart Full of Headstones (the 24th “Rebus” title), was published in October 2022.
A production of Viaplay (Those Who Kill) and Eleventh Hour Films (Foyle’s War), this show marks Viaplay Group’s initial UK drama commission and the first “Rebus” TV adaptation in nearly 15 years.
Said Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group Chief Content Officer:
“Sir Ian Rankin is a global storytelling phenomenon, and partnering to reimagine Rebus for a new generation of viewers is a remarkable way for Viaplay to take the UK stage. This ambitious series will explore family, morality and class in British society through an exciting and emotionally charged story, set against the Edinburgh landmarks that Rankin’s readers know so well. Together with Gregory Burke and the team at Eleventh Hour Films, we will create an unforgettable show with Scottish roots, international appeal and universal themes.”
Jill Green, Eleventh Hour Films CEO, stated:
“Sir Ian Rankin and Gregory Burke are the dream duo. They will ensure that ‘Rebus’ delivers in a truly authentic, exciting and fresh way. For Eleventh Hour Films, Viaplay and Scotland, this project feels like great timing.”
The principal cast and director of the new production will be announced in due course, and filming is set to begin in spring 2023. Planned as a returning series, the show is produced by Eleventh Hour Films, with Jill Green, Paula Cuddy and Eve Gutierrez as Executive Producers, and Isabelle Hultén and Tomas Axelsson as Executive Producers for Viaplay Group. Ian Rankin and Gregory Burke have boarded as Executive Producers. Global sales are handled by Viaplay Content Distribution.
Stay tuned for updates.
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