Ian Rankin's Rebus returns for new BBC TV series

One of Scotland's most beloved literary characters is returning to the nation's television screens this spring.

The BBC has announced a new adaptation of Sir Ian Rankin's best-selling Inspector Rebus novels.

The six-part crime series was filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year.

It will star Outlander star Richard Rankin in the lead role - Det Sgt John Rebus - and is adapted by Black Watch author Gregory Burke.

The show - called Rebus - reimagines the character as a younger officer who is drawn into a violent criminal conflict after he finds out his younger brother Michael, a former soldier, is involved with the underworld.

Sir Ian, 63, 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."

The new series promises to show Rebus torn between wanting to protect his brother and his need to enforce the law.

Alongside Rankin, 41, as Rebus, the cast includes Bulletproof's Lucie Shorthouse, Versailles actor Stuart Bowman and Atonement star Michelle Duncan.

Richard Rankin said: "I am thrilled that Rebus will premiere on the BBC. It's been an honour taking on the role of Ian Rankin's renowned John Rebus.

"A character enjoyed by so many in such a fresh and original adaptation."

The actor follows in the footsteps of John Hannah and Ken Stott, who played John Rebus in ITV's adaptation, which aired in the noughties before it was axed following its final series in 2007.

Gregory Burke - who like Sir Ian is from Fife - came to prominence with his play Gagarin Way, which was first produced in 2001.

In 2006 the National Theatre of Scotland staged his play Black Watch as part of its first season.

Based on interviews with former soldiers, it tells the story of troops from the then Black Watch regiment serving in Iraq.

The play toured around the world and went on to win four Olivier Awards.

He has also written for TV and film. He wrote the cinema thrillers '71 and Entebbe.

He said: "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."

Sandra McFadden, head of business, BBC Scotland Commissioning, said: "Rebus, of course, needs no introduction, being one of Scotland's most prolific literary characters, but we're thrilled to be bringing this new television adaptation, starring Richard Rankin, to our audiences in Scotland and across the UK."

The first Rebus book, Knots & Crosses, was published in 1987 and Sir Ian's detective novels have been translated into 22 languages, becoming bestsellers across the world.

He has written 25 Rebus novels, taking a five-year break from the character between 2007 and 2012.

Sir Ian was asked to finish William McIlvanney's uncompleted final Laidlaw novel, The Dark Remains. It was published in 2021, six years after McIlvanney's death.

Rebus will air on BBC Scotland, BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this spring.