Ian Rankin and Gregory Burke
Viaplay, Eleventh Hour Films and bestselling author Ian Rankin will partner for a major reimagining of Rankin’s iconic detective, “Inspector John Rebus,” drawn from the universe of Rankin’s books. Set in contemporary Edinburgh, the six-part series places Rebus at the heart of a compelling new story devised by screenwriter Gregory Burke. The show represents Viaplay Group’s initial UK drama commission and the first Rebus television 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.
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, United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Finland, and have topped the Sunday Times and New York Times’ bestseller 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,” was published in October 2022.
“I’m hugely excited at the thought of Rebus returning to our screens and itis a privilege to have Gregory Burke write the scripts. I have been a fan since ‘Gagarin Way’ and know that he understands the world of ‘Rebus’ and the compelling central character. I am chuffed to bits that Viaplay and Eleventh Hour are involved in this groundbreaking endeavour, and I cannot wait to share the results,” Ian Rankin commented.
Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group Chief Content Officer, added: “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.”
Lastly, Jill Green, CEO of Eleventh Hour Films, declared: “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.”