Rebus (2000 TV series)

Last updated

Rebus
RebusKenStott.jpg
DVD cover (Series 2–4)
Genre Crime drama
Created by Ian Rankin
Starring John Hannah
Ken Stott
Gayanne Potter
Claire Price
Sara Stewart
Jennifer Black
Ron Donachie
Ewan Stewart
Jenny Ryan
ComposersSimon Rogers
David Ferguson
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes14 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersEric Coulter
Philip Hinchcliffe
ProducersAlan J. Wands
Murray Ferguson
Production locations Edinburgh, Scotland
CinematographyAlasdair Walker
EditorsChris Buckland
Jon Gow
Running time60–120 minutes
Production companies Scottish Television/
STV Studios,
Clerkenwell Films
Original release
Network ITV
Release26 April 2000 (2000-04-26) –
7 December 2007 (2007-12-07)

Rebus is a British television detective drama series based on the Inspector Rebus novels by the Scottish author Ian Rankin. The series, produced by STV Studios for the ITV network, was broadcast between 26 April 2000 and 7 December 2007, and consisted of fourteen episodes across four series.

Contents

The first series starred John Hannah as the title character; and was co-produced by Hannah's own production company, Clerkenwell Films. After Hannah quit, the role was re-cast with Ken Stott appearing in three subsequent series, produced in-house by STV.

In 2022, it was announced the series would return to television, with Nordic streaming service Viaplay producing a new Rebus adaptation, starring Richard Rankin, the company's first original commission in the UK. [1]

Production

The first series is very different in both format and style. Hannah's portrayal of Rankin's world-weary detective was questioned by many who knew the books, as he did not physically match their image of Rebus. Hannah himself has said he felt forced into the role, having been executive producer, when his own choice for the role, Peter Mullan, was rejected by STV. [2]

Hannah's interpretation of the inspector has been viewed as deeper than the later productions, using narration to expand the viewers insight into the character's thoughts, or to reveal background information, [3] which never occurs during Stott's tenure. The earlier stories also retained the darkness of the novels and were more faithful to the original storylines, [3] while longer running times meant that each story could be less ruthless with Rankin's many asides and sub-plots.

"The First Stone" is the first and only story to be featured throughout the series which is not based upon a full Rebus novel, rather a novella from a collection of short stories. "Knots and Crosses" is the only story which, despite bearing the name of a Rankin book, does not share the plot.

Cancellation

In February 2008, ITV announced that Rebus had been axed, amid reports that Stott had told producers he did not want to continue in the role. ITV indicated at the time that further "one-off specials are a possibility for the future." [4] In April 2011, it was reported that the series could make a return to television, and a spokeswoman for STV confirmed a comeback was on the cards: "We fully intend to bring Rebus back in the future. There are no firm plans yet, but it will return." [5]

In 2012, Rankin announced that he has purchased the rights to the TV series back, and that he does not intend to bring Rebus back in the present format, having criticised the shorter format of the later series. [6]

Release

All three Stott series were released on DVD in the United Kingdom in 2007. [7] [8] [9] In Region 1, Koch Vision released the first series on DVD on 10 January 2006. [10] Series two through four were later released by Acorn Media between 2006 and 2008. [11] [12] [13] In 2008, Delta released the Hannah series in a four-disc box set. [14]

Cast

Episode list

Series 1 (2000–2001)

Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions) [15] 		Original airdate
1"Black & Blue"Stuart HepburnMartyn Friend7.7026 April 2000 (2000-04-26) (STV)
30 August 2001 (2001-08-30) (ITV)
Based on Black & Blue
Rebus investigates when a number of women are killed with the same modus operandi as that used by 'The Preacher', a prolific serial killer active in Edinburgh during the 1980s. But is a copycat killer at large, or has 'The Preacher' returned to finish what he started?
2"The Hanging Garden"Ben BrownMaurice Phillips5.8915 July 2000 (2000-07-15) (STV)
6 September 2001 (2001-09-06) (ITV)
Based on The Hanging Garden
Rebus investigates a suspected case of human trafficking and a growing territory war between gangster Tommy Telford and the jailed 'Big Ger' Cafferty. Rebus' daughter Sammy is knocked down in apparent hit-and-run. Can Rebus head off trouble, and can he track down his daughter's assailant?
3"Dead Souls"Stuart HepburnMaurice PhillipsTBA13 September 2001 (2001-09-13)
Based on Dead Souls
Rebus is forced to juggle two complex cases when an old friend approaches him to trace her son, who has disappeared, and a former colleague is killed in a freak accident, which asks the question – did he kill himself or was he murdered?
4"Mortal Causes"Mark GreigDavid Moore0.5220 September 2001 (2001-09-20) (STV)
1 November 2004 (2004-11-01) (ITV3)
Based on Mortal Causes
Rebus is forced to revisit a pact he made with a crime lord who identified who attacked his daughter in a freak hit-and-run, when his own son is murdered by a gang involved in gun running, right-wing extremism and racist white-power fanatics.

Series 2 (2006)

EpisodeTitleWritten byDirected byViewers
(millions) [15] 		Original airdate
1"The Falls" Daniel Boyle Matthew Evans9.002 January 2006 (2006-01-02)
Based on The Falls
Rebus investigates the murder of a retired obstetrician, who is found dead in his home having been the victim of torture. A clue left at the scene by the killer leads Rebus to the local museum, and puts him onto the trail of a stalker targeting a university student.
2"Fleshmarket Close" Daniel Boyle Matthew Evans6.276 March 2006 (2006-03-06)
Based on Fleshmarket Close
Rebus investigates the death of a Kosovan national who is found dead in a seedy Edinburgh slum, but a racist slur left on the victim's head leads him into contact with a group of local gangland bosses, and it's not long before a second corpse is discovered.

Series 3 (2006)

EpisodeTitleWritten byDirected byViewers
(millions) [15] 		Original airdate
1"The Black Book" Daniel Boyle Roger Gartland5.688 September 2006 (2006-09-08)
Based on The Black Book
Rebus finds himself drawn towards a cold case after a prostitute is buried alive beneath a famous Scottish landmark, but finds himself stonewalled when his prime suspect turns out to be a member of parliament – forcing his superiors to draft in a fellow DI to rein him in.
2" A Question of Blood "Matthew EvansMatthew Evans5.2515 September 2006 (2006-09-15)
Based on A Question of Blood
Rebus investigates a mass shooting at a local sports college, which has claimed the lives of two students and a teacher, but when one of the victims turns out to be his cousin's son, he decides that bending the rules is the best way to get a result.
3" Strip Jack "Robert MurphyMatthew Evans5.8122 September 2006 (2006-09-22)
Based on Strip Jack
Rebus investigates when the wife of a millionaire philanthropist, who is due to lead a conference on poverty in Africa, is found dead in the river, the morning after he is discovered with a prostitute in a local brothel during a raid by divisional CID.
4" Let It Bleed "David KaneRoger Gartland5.7029 September 2006 (2006-09-29)
Based on Let It Bleed
Rebus takes on the case of a man who shoots himself during a meeting with the head of his local bank, but a photograph in his wallet leads him to a chemical plant preparing a pesticide for the third world, and a disgruntled ex-employee with a grudge over a false sexual assault claim.

Series 4 (2007)

EpisodeTitleWritten byDirected byViewers
(millions) [15] 		Original airdate
1" Resurrection Men "David KaneRoger Gartland4.815 October 2007 (2007-10-05)
Based on Resurrection Men
Rebus is forced to attend a training course at police school following a public outburst, with his colleagues unaware that he is actually out to expose two corrupt police officers who have been running a protection racket, and could possibly be linked to the murder of a drug dealer.
2" The First Stone "Colin BatemanMorag Fullerton5.1812 October 2007 (2007-10-12)
Based on "The First Stone"
Rebus is called to investigate when the naked body of the Moderator Elect of the Church of Scotland is found in a local cruising spot with the body of a naked woman. Forced to deal with ongoing political battles between the church and its ministers, Rebus must solve the case in time for the gathering of the General Assembly.
3" The Naming of the Dead "David KaneMartyn Friend4.7426 October 2007 (2007-10-26)
Based on The Naming of the Dead
Rebus investigates when an unidentified body is found in the grounds of a local Edinburgh hotel which is due to play host to the World Trade Summit. When another body is found in the grounds of Edinburgh castle, Special Branch intervene and warn Rebus off the case.
4" Knots and Crosses "Roger GartlandRoger Gartland4.947 December 2007 (2007-12-07)
Based on Knots and Crosses
Rebus finds himself being investigated by an old friend after a murderer walks free on a technicality. Matters are made worse when the suspect and his brother are found dead, and the prosecutor in the case is found to have been paid off to discredit Rebus and his colleagues.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hannah (actor)</span> Scottish actor and voice over artist (born 1962)

John David Hannah is a Scottish actor and voice over artist. He came to prominence in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), for which he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as Matthew. His other film appearances include Sliding Doors (1998), The Hurricane (1999), and The Mummy trilogy (1999–2008). His television roles include: Dr Iain McCallum in McCallum (1995–1998); D.I. John Rebus in Rebus (2000–2001); Jack Roper in New Street Law (2006–2007); Jake Osbourne in Cold Blood (2007–2008), Quintus Lentulus Batiatus in Spartacus (2010–2011), Jack Cloth in A Touch of Cloth (2012–2014), Jason's father (Aeson) in the BBC series Atlantis (2013–2015), Dr Holden Radcliffe in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2016–2017), Colin in Overboard (2018), and Archie Wilson in the BBC series Trust Me.

Detective Inspector John Rebus is the protagonist in the Inspector Rebus series of detective novels by the Scottish writer Sir Ian Rankin, ten of which have so far been televised as Rebus. The novels are mostly set in and around Edinburgh. Rebus has been portrayed by John Hannah, Ken Stott and Richard Rankin for television, with Ron Donachie playing the character for the BBC Radio dramatisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Rankin</span> Scottish writer

Sir Ian James Rankin is a Scottish crime writer and philanthropist, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels.

<i>Taggart</i> Scottish television detective series (1985–2010)

Taggart is a Scottish detective fiction television programme created by Glenn Chandler, who wrote many of the episodes, and made by STV Studios for the ITV network. It originally ran as the miniseries Killer from 6 until 20 September 1983, before a full series was commissioned that ran from 2 July 1985 until 7 November 2010. The series revolved around a group of detectives initially in the Maryhill CID of Strathclyde Police, though various storylines were set in other parts of Greater Glasgow and in other areas of Scotland. The team operated out of the fictional John Street police station. Mark McManus, who played the title character Jim Taggart, died in 1994. However, the series continued under the same name. Taggart is one of the UK's longest-running television dramas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Stott</span> Scottish stage, television and film actor

Kenneth Campbell Stott is a Scottish stage, television and film actor who won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1995 in the play Broken Glass at Royal National Theatre. He portrayed the dwarf Balin in The Hobbit film trilogy (2012–2014).

<i>Inspector Rebus</i> Series of detective novels by Ian Rankin

The Inspector Rebus books are a series of detective novels by the Scottish author Sir Ian Rankin. The novels, centred on Detective Inspector John Rebus, are mostly based in and around Edinburgh. They are considered an important contribution to 'Tartan Noir'.

<i>Let It Bleed</i> (novel) Book by Ian Rankin

Let it Bleed is a 1995 crime novel by Ian Rankin. It is the seventh of the Inspector Rebus novels. The US edition has a final chapter not present in the UK version; Rankin has explained that his North American publisher objected to the open, ambiguous conclusion of the original text.

Claire Louise Price is an English actress.

<i>The Commander</i> (TV series) British television crime drama series (2003–2008)

The Commander is a British crime drama, broadcast on ITV, starring Amanda Burton as the principal character, Commander Clare Blake. The series first broadcast on 16 February 2003, and a total of five series were produced over a five-year-period, with the last episode airing on 12 November 2008.

"Strip Jack" is a 2006 episode of STV's Rebus television series. It was the third episode broadcast in the show's third season, and starred Ken Stott in the title role. The episode was based on the Ian Rankin novel of the same name.

"Resurrection Men" is a 2007 episode of STV's Rebus television series. It was the first episode broadcast in the show's fourth season, and starred Ken Stott in the title role. The episode was based on the Ian Rankin novel of the same name.

"The First Stone" is a 2007 episode of STV's Rebus television series. It was the second episode broadcast in the show's fourth season, and starred Ken Stott in the title role. The episode was based on an Ian Rankin short story.

"The Naming of the Dead" is a 2007 episode of STV's Rebus television series. It was the third episode broadcast in the show's fourth season, and starred Ken Stott in the title role. The episode was based on the Ian Rankin novel of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Donachie</span> Scottish actor

Ronald Eaglesham Porter, known professionally as Ron Donachie, is a Scottish actor. He is known for starring as DI John Rebus in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of the Ian Rankin Rebus detective novels and for his supporting roles in films The Jungle Book (1994), Titanic and television series Doctor Who and Game of Thrones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Rankin</span> Scottish actor

Richard Rankin is a Scottish film, television and theatre actor. He is best known for the Scottish sketch show Burnistoun and as Roger Wakefield MacKenzie in the Starz drama Outlander.

<i>Supply & Demand</i> (TV series) British television crime drama series (1997–1998)

Supply & Demand is a British television crime drama series, written and devised by Lynda La Plante, first broadcast as a single feature-length pilot on ITV on 5 February 1997. The series follows the work of ESUS, a crack team of detectives tasked with investigating some of the country's biggest criminal importers and smugglers. The pilot was written in 1996, the year that La Plante's most notable television series, Prime Suspect, went on hiatus. Adé Sapara, Eamonn Walker, Benedict Wong, Juliet Aubrey and Ramon Tikaram were credited as principal cast members for the pilot.

The Loch is a six-part British television drama series, created by screenwriter Stephen Brady, that first broadcast on ITV on 11 June 2017. The series follows DS Annie Redford, a small town police officer with the Scottish Highland Police as she investigates the murder of piano teacher Niall Swift, who is found dead at the bottom of a cliff in the picturesque village of Lochnafoy, Loch Fyne, Inveraray. When it becomes apparent that part of Swift's brain has been removed, and a human heart belonging to another victim is found close by, Annie's team realise they are searching for a serial killer. In response, Glasgow based major investigation detective DCI Lauren Quigley is brought in to lead the enquiry.

<i>Rebus: Long Shadows</i>

Rebus: Long Shadows is a 2018 play written by Ian Rankin and Rona Munro. It is an installment of Rankin's Inspector Rebus series, written for the stage for the first time.

Rebus is a Scottish crime drama streaming television series based on the Inspector Rebus novels by Sir Ian Rankin, and starring Richard Rankin in the titular role. The episodes are written by Gregory Burke, directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton. Burke and Ian Rankin also serve as executive producers. The series, which consists of six episodes, began airing on 17 May 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Goldbart, Max (3 November 2022). "Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' Returns To TV As Viaplay's Debut UK Original". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Fulton, Rick (13 May 2011). "In the lap of the Gods but John Hannah just can't get the work he wants in the UK". Daily Record .
  3. 1 2 "John Hannah vs Ken Stott: Who's The Better Rebus? | Rebus | Drama Channel". Drama.uktv.co.uk. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  4. ↑ Leigh Holmwood (22 February 2008). "ITV ditches Rebus as axe looms over several underperforming shows | Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "News – The Scotsman". News.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  6. ↑ John Dingwall (14 September 2012). "Ian Rankin has rights back for Rebus". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Rebus : Seasons 1–2 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: John Hannah, Maurice Phillips, Martyn Friend: DVD & Blu-ray". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  8. ↑ Ken Stott (Actor). "Rebus : Seasons 3–4 (6 Disc Set) [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ken Stott: DVD & Blu-ray". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  9. ↑ "Rebus : Season 5 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ken Stott, Stella Gonet, Jason Hetherington, Bryan Larkin, Ron Donachie, Roger Gartland: Film & TV". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  10. ↑ "Rebus: John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Ron Donachie, Gayanne Potter, Michelle Fairley, Paul Cunningham, Russell Barr, Mark Bonnar, Emma Currie, Hugh Ross, Anna Hepburn, Danielle Cook, David Moore, Maurice Phillips, Don Bell, Ben Brown, Ian Rankin, Mark Greig, Philip Palmer, Stuart Hepburn: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "Rebus – Set 1: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Tony Donaldson, Natalie Dormer, Andrea Hart, Richard Johnson, James McAnerney, Eileen McCallum, William Ruane, Elayne Sharling, Sharon Small, Alasdair Walker, Matthew Evans, Chris Buckland, Alan J. Wands, Eric Coulter, Daniel Boyle, Ian Rankin: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Amazon.com: Rebus – Set 2: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter, Ron Donachie, Rony Bridges, Norman Campbell Rees, Adam Smith, Forbes KB, Ewan Stewart: Movies & TV". Amazon. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Rebus – Set 3: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Gregor Gillespie, John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter, Ron Donachie, Andrew Barr, Rony Bridges, Norman Campbell Rees, Forbes KB: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  14. ↑ [ dead link ]
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Top 30 Programmes – BARB". barb.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.