Rebus star Richard Rankin responds as 'incredible' ratings boost hope of a second season

Hopes of a second series of the TV reboot of Ian Rankin’s John Rebus character have soared after it emerged that it has attracted an audience of more than 10 million via the BBC iPlayer.

Actor Richard Rankin, who has followed in the footsteps of John Hannah, Ken Stott, John Michie and Brian Cox by playing the detective, has described the audience figure as “incredible.”

The six-part show, which reimagines the characters from Rankin’s series of novels - which was launched in the 1980s - in modern-day Edinburgh, has won widespread acclaim from critics and fans.

It was adapted by the award-winning Scottish playwright and screenwriter Gregory Burke, who worked closely with the author on his vision for the show.

Ian Rankin has suggested fans petition the BBC for a second series of the show, which was originally made for the streaming service Viaplay by production company Eleventh Hour Films.

The BBC announced in March that it had acquired the six-part series, which launched on the iPlayer on 17 March, and has also been screened on BBC Scotland and BBC One.

It was first announced in 2017 that Eleventh Hour Films had secured the rights to adapt the novels and was working with Burke, who made his name in Scottish theatre with plays including Gagarin Way and Black Watch.

Richard Rankin plays detective sergeant John Rebus in the new BBC TV series. Picture: Mark Mainz

The show features a host of familiar characters from the novels, including Rebus’s regular sidekick Siobhan Clarke (Lucie Shorthouse), his boss Gill Templer (Caroline Lee Johnson), and villains Ger Cafferty (Stuart Bowman) and Darryl Christie (Noof Ousellam).

However the new series also features prominent roles for Rebus’s ex-wife Rhona (Amy Manson), his brother Michael (Brian Ferguson) and sister-in-law Chrissie (Nesha Caplan).

Sharing the viewing figure on social media, Richard Rankin said: “Incredible news!

"Thanks to everyone who has got involved and watched and for all those of you who have spread the word.

Lucie Shorthouse and Richard Rankin play Siobhan Clarke and John Rebus in the new BBC Scotland series Rebus. Picture: Mark Mainz

"We couldn't be prouder of the show. An incredible cast, crew and production.”

Responding to the news on the iPlayer audience for Rebus, Bowman said: “Superb! So proud of this show. So much excellence in all departments.”

Ian Rankin has been inundated with demands on social media for a second series of the new TV Rebus.

He told one fan: “Tell the BBC how much you want a second series! It’s up to them!”

Lucie Shorthouse and Richard Rankin play Siobhan Clarke and John Rebus in the new BBC Scotland series Rebus. Picture: Mark Mainz

Speaking previously about the prospect of a second series, Richard Rankin said: “I hope people take out of it what we put in.

"The entire ensemble of cast and crew are immensely talented individuals who all brought their A-game to the series.

"I think that really shows. I hope audiences will develop an appetite for more, so that we can bring another series their way further down the line. I really hope that people will fall in love with Rebus in the same way that we have.”

When the show was snapped up by the broadcaster earlier this year, Sandra McFadden, head of business at BBC Scotland Commissioning, said: “Rebus of course needs no introduction, being one of Scotland’s most prolific literary characters, but we’re thrilled to be bringing this new television adaptation, starring Richard Rankin, to our audiences in Scotland and across the UK.”