STAR-STUDDED DRAMA
Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil stars team up for gritty new BBC crime drama Rebus in first look pics
The new drama is based on the best-selling book series by beloved novelist Ian Rankin
THE BBC has shared a first look at its gritty new crime drama Rebus.
Stars from hit dramas including Line of Duty, Bodyguard, Vigil, and Outlander have teamed up for the upcoming series.
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Rebus will hit screens in May
The Beeb’s new six-part crime drama Rebus will premiere on Friday 17 May.
Rebus is based on the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin and will see Outlander star Richard Rankin take on the role of the titular character.
Written for screen by Gregory Burke, the series puts a twist on the novels and reimagines the iconic character John Rebus as a younger Detective Sergeant, drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line.
The official synopsis teases: “Shaken after a violent encounter with gangster Ger Cafferty, Edinburgh detective John Rebus finds himself at a psychological crossroads.
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"At odds with a job increasingly driven by corporate technocrats, involved in a toxic affair he knows he needs to end, and all but supplanted in his daughter’s life by his ex-wife’s wealthy new husband, Rebus begins to wonder if he still has a role to play – either as a family man or a police officer.
“In a time of divisive politics and national discord, Rebus’s ex-soldier brother Michael, who’s broke, desperately crosses the line in order to provide for his family, and Rebus starts to question if the law still has meaning, or if everyone is reverting to an older set of rules. And if so, why shouldn’t he do so too?”
Rebus boasts a star-studded cast
The BBC has released first look pictures from the upcoming drama showing who else will be joining Richard in the series.
Lucie Shorthouse — who played Melanie in series 4 of Line of Duty — will play Rebus’s investigation partner, Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke.
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The Spanish Princess star Brian Ferguson also plays as John’s brother, Michael.
Noof Ousellam, who played DI Paul Townsend in Vigil’s second series, and Stuart Bowman, who played MI5 boss Stephen Hunter-Dunn in Bodyguard, are also set to star.
Rounding out the cast is Amy Manson (The Nevers, The Diplomat), Neshla Caplan (The Rig, Scot Squad), Caroline Lee Johnson (Trying, Ridley), Sean Buchanan (Censor, Mary Queen of Scots), Thoren Ferguson (The Midwich Cuckoos) and Michelle Duncan (Baptise, Elizabeth is Missing).
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Ian Rankin, creator of the Rebus novels, expressed his excitement about the upcoming series “I’m thrilled that Rebus is coming to the BBC. A great cast and a compelling story - I really can’t wait for viewers to see it,” he said.
Star Richard added: “I am thrilled that Rebus will premiere on the BBC. It’s been an honour taking on the role of Ian Rankin’s renowned John Rebus. A character enjoyed by so many in such a fresh and original adaptation.”
Meanwhile, Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition at the BBC, teased that “viewers can expect compelling storylines, complex characters and an enjoyable mix of action, wit and humour.”
All six episodes of Rebus will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Friday 17th May, with episode one airing on BBC Scotland on Friday 17 May and on BBC One on Saturday 18 May.
Acclaimed BBC drama returning next month after rave reviews and two years off screens
Timings for both the BBC Scotland and the BBC One will be confirmed closer to the release date.
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