A “most welcome” BBC crime drama adapted from a wildly successful book series is “so alluring” with “lashings of charisma” that it might even rival the acclaimed, gritty fan-favourite Happy Valley.
The BBC is the force behind a vast array of beloved and addictive crime dramas, from the thrilling police corruption series Line of Duty, the devastating mystery Broadchurch, and the atmospheric Shetland, to the psychological crime favourite Luthor, the smash-hit dramedy Killing Eve, and plenty more.
There’s no shortage of options if you’re craving high stakes drama, tension and mystery, with a vast array of binge-worthy shows on offer.
One BBC miniseries has captured the attention of critics though, even earning an elusive 100% score on popular review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes.
It is, of course, the Scottish crime drama series Rebus. This screen interpretation of the Inspector Rebus novels by Sir Ian Rankin is made up of six episodes and first aired in May of 2024.
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Richard Ranking as John Rebus in the BBC’s 2024 series, Rebus(Image: BBC/Viaplay /Eleventh Hour/Mark Mainz)
Each episode was written by Gregory Burke, then directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton.
It stars Scottish actor Richard Rankin – who is no relation to the author – as the eponymous Detective John Rebus as he clashes with a notorious Edinburgh gangster, all while dealing with the personal issues and family fallout that have ensued since his recent divorce.
A second series was commissioned in July of 2025. The new series is expected to return in 2027.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics have heaped praise on the series, with many thoroughly impressed by Richard Rankin’s portrayal of the weary, cynical and brooding detective.
One critic said: “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.”
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Richard Rankin now plays the iconic detective(Image: BBC/Viaplay /Eleventh Hour/Graeme Hunter)
Another shared: “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.”
A third agreed: “Part of what makes this Rebus so alluring is down to the beautifully concise manner in which the actor who plays him conveys his haphazard competence, his stoicism and feral endurance. He is so believable.”
While a fourth wrote: “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.”
And someone else added: “Rankin has lashings of charisma. Requiring no previous knowledge of the character, it is a most welcome revival.”
13 of Ian Rankin’s novels were adapted and dramatised for television between 2000 and 2007 across four series of Rebus.
In the first series, John Hannah played Inspector Rebus before being replaced by Ken Stott for the next three.
Rebus can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.