The BBC crime drama Rebus, adapted from Sir Ian Rankin's bestselling book series, has earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and is being hailed as a must-watch for fans of the beloved series Happy Valley.
Critical Acclaim and Perfect Score
The six-episode miniseries, which first aired in May 2024, has captivated critics with its gritty storytelling and compelling performances. On Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers have showered the series with acclaim, with many praising Richard Rankin's portrayal of the weary Detective John Rebus. One critic wrote: "Rebus is a big name in fictional detectives, but this show makes a point of not pulling its punches for the ease of the casual viewer." Another added: "I like this new model Rebus, as played by Richard Rankin. His Rebus is every big brother that ever slagged you affectionately, but he can also be a rotten so-and-so."
Plot and Cast
The series follows Detective John Rebus as he confronts a notorious Edinburgh gangster while dealing with personal difficulties and family turmoil following his recent divorce. Each episode was written by Gregory Burke and directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton. Scottish actor Richard Rankin, who is unrelated to the author, stars as the titular detective.
Renewal and Future Seasons
A second series was greenlit in July 2025, with an anticipated return in 2027. The show is a revival of the earlier Rebus series that aired between 2000 and 2007, which adapted 13 of Ian Rankin's novels across four series. In that original run, John Hannah portrayed Inspector Rebus in the first series before Ken Stott took over for the subsequent three.
Comparisons to Happy Valley
Critics have noted that Rebus rivals the intensity and quality of Happy Valley, another celebrated BBC crime drama. One reviewer commented: "Richard Rankin is so perfectly believable in the role that you never tire of watching him and keep rooting for him even when he's being a complete and utter idiot." Another added: "Rankin has lashings of charisma. Requiring no previous knowledge of the character, it is a most welcome revival."
