The BBC crime drama Rebus, based on Ian Rankin's novels, has been winning over viewers, with fans describing the series as "compelling", "gritty" and "a stroke of genius".
Series premise and cast
The six-part series, which first aired on BBC One in 2024, follows detective John Rebus as he tackles crime across Edinburgh while dealing with a turbulent personal life. Richard Rankin takes on the role of the iconic detective, having previously appeared in Outlander and Burnistoun. The cast also includes fellow Scottish actors Brian Ferguson, Thoren Ferguson and Lucie Shorthouse.
The official BBC synopsis reads: "40-year-old police detective John Rebus finds himself at a psychological crossroads following an altercation with an Edinburgh gangster."
Viewer reception
The series currently holds an impressive 100 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, while viewers on IMDb have also been quick to share their praise. One viewer gave the series 10/10 and wrote: "A MUST WATCH! What a brilliant modern day version based on incredible books, can't wait for the 2nd series! Richard Rankin shines as Rebus, nailing his persona of a younger more physical detective than what folks are used to seeing from the Rebus shows of yore."
Another said: "Gritty crime thrillers have long been one of Scotland's greatest art forms and most successful export industries, and this reimagining of Sir Ian Rankin's classic Inspector Rebus novels is a stroke of genius."
Adaptation history and availability
The BBC series is not the first television adaptation of Rankin's novels, with an earlier version first airing on ITV in April 2000. However, the latest adaptation appears to have won over viewers, with many praising it as a fresh take on the beloved character and claiming it is better than the original.
For those looking for a Scottish crime drama to binge, the first season of Rebus is currently available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. Additionally a second season has also been confirmed and is expected to air in 2027.
