Filming commences on Viaplay’s first UK drama Rebus
April 26, 2023
As filming commences in Scotland for the reimagining of ‘Rebus’, Viaplay’s first UK drama commission, further cast members have been announced to star alongside Richard Rankin (‘Outlander’; ‘The Last Kingdom’; ‘Trust Me’). The six-part series is based on the iconic character John Rebus from Sir Ian Rankin’s bestselling novels. Produced by Eleventh Hour Films, written by Gregory Burke (‘Entebbe’; ‘‘71’) and directed by Niall MacCormick (‘Complicit’; ‘The Victim’; ‘Wallander’) and Fiona Walton (‘Shetland’; ‘Annika’), the show will stream exclusively on Viaplay in 2024.
The compelling new story is set in contemporary Scotland and follows police detective John Rebus (Richard Rankin), in his late thirties, who finds himself at a psychological crossroads. 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?
Joining Richard Rankin in playing prominent characters with their own compelling backstories and complex familial relationships, are stars such as Glasgow native Brian Ferguson (‘The Ipcress File’; ‘The Spanish Princess’) playing Rebus’s brother Michael and Neshla Caplan (‘The Rig’; ‘Scot Squad’) as Michael’s wife Chrissie. Amy Manson (‘The Nevers’; ‘Spencer’) plays Rhona, Rebus’s ex-wife and mother of their child Sammy, who is played by Mia McKenzie.
As Rebus’s personal and professional lives becomes increasingly intertwined, Lucie Shorthouse (‘Line of Duty’; ’We Are Lady Parts’) takes the key role of Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke, his police partner with a contrasting outlook on life. Rebus’s workplace antagonist is Detective Inspector Malcolm Fox, played by Thoren Ferguson (‘Emmerdale’; ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’), a Professional Standards Unit investigator who has Rebus at the top of his list.
Rebus’s supporters within the force include Detective Inspector Gill Templer, his ally and policing contemporary played by Caroline Lee-Johnson (‘Trying’; ‘Ridley’) and George Blantyre, his mentor who suffered at the hands of the criminal underworld Rebus is fighting to bring down, played by Sean Buchanan (‘Censor’; ‘Mary Queen of Scots’). George is married to Maggie, played by Michelle Duncan (‘Baptiste’; ‘Elizabeth is Missing’), who is growing increasingly frustrated in her relationship with George and is drawn to Rebus.
Leading the criminal underworld is corrupt mobster Ger Cafferty, played by Stuart Bowman (‘The Pact’; ‘The Serpent’). Rebus is not the only person out for revenge, with powerful and notorious businessman Darryl Christie, played by Noof Ousellam (‘Andor’; ‘Hanna’), setting his sights on Cafferty for his own, very personal, reasons.
The series is 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.
Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group EVP & Chief Content Officer, said: “It’s an exciting day that filming of ‘Rebus’ is now underway. We are proud to bring such a highly regarded character to audiences as our first UK commission, which will put Viaplay even more firmly on the drama map in the UK. We found our Rebus in Richard Rankin and now have an equally stellar cast around him. It’s a privilege to work alongside the creative team at Eleventh Hour Films, Gregory Burke and Sir Ian Rankin to create this unique and compelling show.”
‘Rebus’ is produced by Eleventh Hour Films and written by Gregory Burke (‘Entebbe’; ‘’71’) exclusively for Viaplay and is directed by award-winning directors Niall MacCormick (‘Complicit’; ‘The Victim’; ‘Wallander’) and Fiona Walton (Shetland’; ‘Annika’). Des Hamilton is the Casting Director. The six-part Viaplay show is produced by Eleventh Hour Films and adapted from the award-winning books by Ian Rankin. The series is the first Rebus TV adaptation for nearly 15 years.
Planned as a returning series, the show has Jill Green, Paula Cuddy and Eve Gutierrez as Executive Producers for Eleventh Hour Films, and Isabelle Hultén and Tomas Axelsson as Executive Producers for Viaplay Group. Sir Ian Rankin and Gregory Burke have boarded as Executive Producers. Global sales are handled by Viaplay Content Distribution.