Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus Set for Major Reimagining From Viaplay

Ian Rankin’s immensely popular detective, Inspector John Rebus, is set for a major reimagining in the form of a six-part series from streamer Viaplay and Eleventh Hour Films.

Set in contemporary Edinburgh, and drawn from the universe of Rankin’s books, the series places Rebus at the heart of a new story devised by screenwriter Gregory Burke (“Entebbe,” play “Gagarin Way”). The show represents Viaplay Group’s initial U.K. drama commission and the first Rebus TV adaptation for nearly 15 years.

In the drama, Rebus is in his 30s, recently divorced and demoted to Detective Sergeant. He has a new colleague, Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke, and is struggling to deal with the changes in his personal and professional life. At the same time, Rebus’s daughter, Sammy, and ex-wife, Rhona, are enjoying an affluent existence with Rhona’s new partner – while 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.

The bestselling Inspector Rebus books have sold 30 million copies and been translated into 36 languages, with fan bases in the U.K., US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey and Finland. Four series of “Rebus” were produced for ITV, with the last one airing in 2007. There have also been radio and stage adaptations.

The principal cast and director of the new production will be revealed imminently, 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 with Isabelle Hultén and Tomas Axelsson as executive producers for Viaplay Group. Rankin and Burke will also serve as executive producers.

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Rankin said: “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.”

Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group CCO, said: “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 U.K. 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, added: “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.”

Viaplay launched in the U.K. Nov. 1. The U.K. launch takes Viaplay’s direct-to-consumer footprint to 11 countries, with the U.S. and Canada to follow in early 2023.