The BBC is bringing back its new-look Rebus from Sony’s Eleventh Hour Films for a second six-part series, with Richard Rankin reprising the role of Detective Sergeant John Rebus.

Based on the best-selling books by Ian Rankin and adapted by Gregory Burke, the drama is filmed in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow. The new series will continue to explore Rebus’s complex world as he navigates Scottish crime and personal conflict.

The first six-part series, which launched in full on BBC iPlayer in 2024, received widespread praise from both critics and audiences. The debut episode attracted 6.3 million viewers across all platforms while last month it scooped three RTS Scotland awards for Best Drama, Writer and Director.

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland says: “We were blown away with the audience response to the new-look Rebus first time round so bringing it back for a second series was always a priority.”

The commission is part of the recently announced strategy to bring more high impact scripted content from Scotland. Rebus is part of a growing list of BBC dramas from Scotland, including Shetland, Vigil, Granite Harbour, The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Half Man and the recently announced Counsels, The Young Team and Grams.

Rebus series two will be produced by Eleventh Hour Films for BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland and BBC One. It was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland.

Paula Cuddy, Jill Green, Eve Gutierrez, Niall MacCormick, Gregory Burke and Ian Rankin are the Executive Producers for Eleventh Hour Films, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland and Stephanie Fyfe for the BBC. Niall MacCormick will be returning to direct all 6 episodes and Angela Murray will return to produce. Rebus is distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television.

Series two, commissioned by the BBC, will see  and will explore the links between violent criminals involved in the drug trade in Edinburgh and the professional bourgeois world of law and finance, where police sometimes fear to tread.

Paula Cuddy, Executive Producer and Co-CEO at Eleventh Hour Films says: “After three wins at the RTS Scotland Awards 2025, we couldn’t be more thrilled to now share that we are reuniting with Ian Rankin’s celebrated Scottish detective, brilliantly portrayed by Richard Rankin, to bring a second series of Rebus to the BBC. No doubt it’ll pack a punch and there’ll be some sardonic Rebus comments along the way. We can’t wait!”

Ian Rankin, Executive Producer says: “Season one of Rebus ended on a cliffhanger. Only screenwriter Gregory Burke knows what happens next. So I’m hugely excited that season two will soon be with us. Rebus is back – mean, moody and as magnificent as ever!”

Gregory Burke, Writer, says: “I’m delighted to be given the chance by the BBC and Eleventh Hour Films to bring Rebus back to the nation’s TV screens once more. Ian Rankin’s character and body of work are the perfect materials with which to explore contemporary Scottish society and the turbulent world that surrounds it.”

 

Pippa Considine

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