Rebus (2000 TV series)

{{short description|British television detective drama series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{about|the 2000–2007 ITV series|the 2024 Viaplay/BBC series|Rebus (2024 TV series)|other uses|Rebus (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox television | image = RebusKenStott.jpg | image_size = 250 | caption = DVD cover (Series 2–4) | genre = [[Crime drama]] | creator = [[Ian Rankin]] | developer = | writer = | director = | creative_director = | starring = [[John Hannah (actor)|John Hannah]] [[Ken Stott]] Gayanne Potter [[Claire Price]] [[Sara Stewart]] [[Jennifer Black]] [[Ron Donachie]] [[Ewan Stewart]] Jenny Ryan | theme_music_composer = | composer = Simon Rogers David Ferguson | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_series = 4 | num_episodes = 14 | list_episodes = #Episode list | executive_producer = Eric Coulter Philip Hinchcliffe | producer = Alan J. Wands Murray Ferguson | editor = Chris Buckland Jon Gow | location = [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]] | cinematography = Alasdair Walker | camera = | runtime = 60–120 minutes | company = [[Scottish Television]]/ [[STV Studios]], [[Clerkenwell Films]] | channel = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2000|04|26|df=y}} | last_aired = {{End date|2007|12|7|df=y}} }}

'''''Rebus''''' is a British [[television]] detective drama [[Television program|series]] based on the ''[[Inspector Rebus]]'' novels by the Scottish author [[Ian Rankin]]. The series, produced by [[STV Studios]] for the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network, was broadcast between 26 April 2000 and 7 December 2007, and consisted of fourteen episodes across four series.

The first series starred [[John Hannah (actor)|John Hannah]] as the title character; and was co-produced by Hannah's own production company, [[Clerkenwell Films]]. After Hannah quit, the role was re-cast with [[Ken Stott]] appearing in three subsequent series, produced in-house by STV.

In 2022, it was announced the series would return to television, with Nordic streaming service [[Viaplay]] producing [[Rebus (BBC series)|a new Rebus adaptation]], starring [[Richard Rankin]], the company's first original commission in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |first=Max |last=Goldbart |title=Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' Returns To TV As Viaplay's Debut UK Original|url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/rebus-ian-rankin-viaplay-ken-stott-john-hannah-1235162169/ |access-date=November 4, 2022|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=November 3, 2022}}</ref>

==Production== The first series is very different in both format and style. Hannah's portrayal of Rankin's world-weary detective was questioned by many who knew the books, as he did not physically match their image of Rebus. Hannah himself has said he felt forced into the role, having been executive producer, when his own choice for the role, [[Peter Mullan]], was rejected by STV.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Rick|last=Fulton|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/lap-gods-john-hannah-just-1102866|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=13 May 2011|title=In the lap of the Gods but John Hannah just can't get the work he wants in the UK}}</ref>

Hannah's interpretation of the inspector has been viewed as deeper than the later productions, using narration to expand the viewers insight into the character's thoughts, or to reveal background information,<ref name=uktv>{{cite web|url=http://www.drama.uktv.co.uk/rebus/hannah-vs-stott-rebus/article/hannah-vs-stott-rebus/ |title=John Hannah vs Ken Stott: Who's The Better Rebus? | Rebus | Drama Channel |publisher=Drama.uktv.co.uk |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> which never occurs during Stott's tenure. The earlier stories also retained the darkness of the novels and were more faithful to the original storylines,<ref name=uktv/> while longer running times meant that each story could be less ruthless with Rankin's many asides and sub-plots.

"The First Stone" is the first and only story to be featured throughout the series which is not based upon a full ''Rebus'' novel, rather a novella from a collection of short stories. "Knots and Crosses" is the only story which, despite bearing the name of a Rankin book, does not share the plot.

==Cancellation== In February 2008, ITV announced that ''Rebus'' had been axed, amid reports that Stott had told producers he did not want to continue in the role. ITV indicated at the time that further "one-off specials are a possibility for the future."<ref>{{cite news|author=Leigh Holmwood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/feb/22/itv.television |title=ITV ditches Rebus as axe looms over several underperforming shows | Media |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 22 February 2008|access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> In April 2011, it was reported that the series could make a return to television, and a spokeswoman for STV confirmed a comeback was on the cards: "We fully intend to bring ''Rebus'' back in the future. There are no firm plans yet, but it will return."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Rebus-set-to-return-to.6749507.jp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201232751/http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Rebus-set-to-return-to.6749507.jp |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2013 |title=News – The Scotsman |publisher=News.scotsman.com |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref>

In 2012, Rankin announced that he has purchased the rights to the TV series back, and that he does not intend to bring Rebus back in the present format, having criticised the shorter format of the later series.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Dingwall |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/ian-rankin-has-rights-back-for-rebus-1323113 |title=Ian Rankin has rights back for Rebus |publisher=Daily Record |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref>

==Release== All three Stott series were released on DVD in the [[United Kingdom]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001G55AHG |title=Rebus : Seasons 1–2 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: John Hannah, Maurice Phillips, Martyn Friend: DVD & Blu-ray |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ken Stott (Actor) |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000XYFFSU |title=Rebus : Seasons 3–4 (6 Disc Set) [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ken Stott: DVD & Blu-ray |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00140VSUQ |title=Rebus : Season 5 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Ken Stott, Stella Gonet, Jason Hetherington, Bryan Larkin, Ron Donachie, Roger Gartland: Film & TV |website=Amazon UK |access-date=10 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628215247/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00140VSUQ |archive-date=28 June 2011 }}</ref> In Region 1, [[Koch Entertainment|Koch Vision]] released the first series on DVD on 10 January 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRBAD8 |title=Rebus: John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Ron Donachie, Gayanne Potter, Michelle Fairley, Paul Cunningham, Russell Barr, Mark Bonnar, Emma Currie, Hugh Ross, Anna Hepburn, Danielle Cook, David Moore, Maurice Phillips, Don Bell, Ben Brown, Ian Rankin, Mark Greig, Philip Palmer, Stuart Hepburn: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> Series two through four were later released by Acorn Media between 2006 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FS9FGW |title=Rebus – Set 1: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Tony Donaldson, Natalie Dormer, Andrea Hart, Richard Johnson, James McAnerney, Eileen McCallum, William Ruane, Elayne Sharling, Sharon Small, Alasdair Walker, Matthew Evans, Chris Buckland, Alan J. Wands, Eric Coulter, Daniel Boyle, Ian Rankin: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PC6YTE |title=Amazon.com: Rebus – Set 2: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter, Ron Donachie, Rony Bridges, Norman Campbell Rees, Adam Smith, Forbes KB, Ewan Stewart: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=10 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629183554/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PC6YTE |archive-date=29 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00180IPPS |title=Rebus – Set 3: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Gregor Gillespie, John Hannah, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter, Ron Donachie, Andrew Barr, Rony Bridges, Norman Campbell Rees, Forbes KB: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> In 2008, Delta released the Hannah series in a four-disc box set.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20241211223939/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebus-Seasons-1-2-John-Hannah/dp/B001G5]</ref>

==Cast== * [[John Hannah (actor)|John Hannah]] as [[John Rebus|DI John Rebus]] (Series 1) * [[Ken Stott]] as DI John Rebus (Series 2–4) * Gayanne Potter / [[Claire Price]] as [[Siobhan Clarke|DS Siobhan Clarke]] * [[Sara Stewart]] / [[Jennifer Black]] as [[Gill Templer|DCI Gill Templer]] * [[Ron Donachie]] as DCS Jack Gunner (Series 3–4) * [[Ewan Stewart]] as DI Jack Morton (Series 1) * Jenny Ryan as WPC Mary Logan (Series 1)

==Episode list== ===Series 1 (2000–2001)=== {{Episode table |background=#FF623B |overall= |series= |title= |writer= |director= |viewers= |viewersR= <ref name="barb">{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?|title=Top 30 Programmes – BARB|publisher=barb.co.uk|access-date=11 February 2016}}</ref> |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=1 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title= {{va|Black & Blue}} | WrittenBy= Stuart Hepburn | DirectedBy= Martyn Friend | Viewers= 7.70 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2000|4|26|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Black & Blue (Rankin novel)|Black & Blue]]'' Rebus investigates when a number of women are killed with the same modus operandi as that used by 'The Preacher', a prolific serial killer active in Edinburgh during the 1980s. But is a copycat killer at large, or has 'The Preacher' returned to finish what he started? | LineColor=FF623B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=2 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title= {{va|The Hanging Garden}} | WrittenBy= Ben Brown | DirectedBy= Maurice Phillips | Viewers= 5.89 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2000|7|15|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[The Hanging Garden (Rankin novel)|The Hanging Garden]]'' Rebus investigates a suspected case of human trafficking and a growing territory war between gangster Tommy Telford and the jailed 'Big Ger' Cafferty. Rebus' daughter Sammy is knocked down in apparent hit-and-run. Can Rebus head off trouble, and can he track down his daughter's assailant? | LineColor=FF623B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=3 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title= {{va|Dead Souls}} | WrittenBy= Stuart Hepburn | DirectedBy= Maurice Phillips | Viewers= | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2001|9|13|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Dead Souls (Rankin novel)|Dead Souls]]'' Rebus is forced to juggle two complex cases when an old friend approaches him to trace her son, who has disappeared, and a former colleague is killed in a freak accident, which asks the question – did he kill himself or was he murdered? | LineColor=FF623B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=4 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title= {{va|Mortal Causes}} | WrittenBy= Mark Greig | DirectedBy= David Moore | Viewers= 0.52 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2001|9|20|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Mortal Causes]]'' Rebus is forced to revisit a pact he made with a crime lord who identified who attacked his daughter in a freak hit-and-run, when his own son is murdered by a gang involved in gun running, right-wing extremism and racist white-power fanatics. | LineColor=FF623B }} }}

===Series 2 (2006)=== {{Episode table |background=#00A1D7 |overall= |series= |title= |writer= |director= |viewers= |viewersR= <ref name="barb"/> |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 5 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title= {{va|The Falls}} | WrittenBy= [[Daniel Boyle (writer)|Daniel Boyle]] | DirectedBy= Matthew Evans | Viewers= 9.00 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|1|2|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[The Falls (Rankin novel)|The Falls]]'' Rebus investigates the murder of a retired obstetrician, who is found dead in his home having been the victim of torture. A clue left at the scene by the killer leads Rebus to the local museum, and puts him onto the trail of a stalker targeting a university student. | LineColor=00A1D7 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 6 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title= {{va|Fleshmarket Close}} | WrittenBy= [[Daniel Boyle (writer)|Daniel Boyle]] | DirectedBy= Matthew Evans | Viewers= 6.27 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|3|6|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Fleshmarket Close]]'' Rebus investigates the death of a Kosovan national who is found dead in a seedy Edinburgh slum, but a racist slur left on the victim's head leads him into contact with a group of local gangland bosses, and it's not long before a second corpse is discovered. | LineColor=00A1D7 }} }}

===Series 3 (2006)=== {{Episode table |background=#A62A2A |overall= |series= |title= |writer= |director= |viewers= |viewersR= <ref name="barb"/> |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 7 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title= {{va|The Black Book}} | WrittenBy= [[Daniel Boyle (writer)|Daniel Boyle]] | DirectedBy= Roger Gartland | Viewers= 5.68 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|9|8|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[The Black Book (Rankin novel)|The Black Book]]'' Rebus finds himself drawn towards a cold case after a prostitute is buried alive beneath a famous Scottish landmark, but finds himself stonewalled when his prime suspect turns out to be a member of parliament – forcing his superiors to draft in a fellow DI to rein him in. | LineColor=A62A2A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 8 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title= {{va|[[A Question of Blood (Rebus)|A Question of Blood]]|A Question of Blood}} | WrittenBy= Matthew Evans | DirectedBy= Matthew Evans | Viewers= 5.25 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|9|15|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[A Question of Blood]]'' Rebus investigates a mass shooting at a local sports college, which has claimed the lives of two students and a teacher, but when one of the victims turns out to be his cousin's son, he decides that bending the rules is the best way to get a result. | LineColor=A62A2A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 9 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title= {{va|[[Strip Jack (Rebus)|Strip Jack]]|Strip Jack}} | WrittenBy= Robert Murphy | DirectedBy= Matthew Evans | Viewers= 5.81 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|9|22|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Strip Jack]]'' Rebus investigates when the wife of a millionaire philanthropist, who is due to lead a conference on poverty in Africa, is found dead in the river, the morning after he is discovered with a prostitute in a local brothel during a raid by divisional CID. | LineColor=A62A2A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 10 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title= {{va|[[Let It Bleed (Rebus)|Let It Bleed]]|Let It Bleed}} | WrittenBy= David Kane | DirectedBy= Roger Gartland | Viewers= 5.70 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2006|9|29|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Let It Bleed (novel)|Let It Bleed]]'' Rebus takes on the case of a man who shoots himself during a meeting with the head of his local bank, but a photograph in his wallet leads him to a chemical plant preparing a pesticide for the third world, and a disgruntled ex-employee with a grudge over a false sexual assault claim. | LineColor=A62A2A }} }}

===Series 4 (2007)=== {{Episode table |background=#FFB90F |overall= |series= |title= |writer= |director= |viewers= |viewersR= <ref name="barb"/> |airdate= |episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 11 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title= {{va|[[Resurrection Men (Rebus)|Resurrection Men]]|Resurrection Men}} | WrittenBy= David Kane | DirectedBy= Roger Gartland | Viewers= 4.81 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2007|10|5|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Resurrection Men]]'' Rebus is forced to attend a training course at police school following a public outburst, with his colleagues unaware that he is actually out to expose two corrupt police officers who have been running a protection racket, and could possibly be linked to the murder of a drug dealer. | LineColor=FFB90F }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 12 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title= {{va|[[The First Stone (Rebus)|The First Stone]]|The First Stone}} | WrittenBy= Colin Bateman | DirectedBy= Morag Fullerton | Viewers= 5.18 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2007|10|12|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on "The First Stone"'' Rebus is called to investigate when the naked body of the Moderator Elect of the Church of Scotland is found in a local cruising spot with the body of a naked woman. Forced to deal with ongoing political battles between the church and its ministers, Rebus must solve the case in time for the gathering of the General Assembly. | LineColor=FFB90F }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 13 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title= {{va|[[The Naming of the Dead (Rebus)|The Naming of the Dead]]|The Naming of the Dead}} | WrittenBy= David Kane | DirectedBy= Martyn Friend | Viewers= 4.74 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2007|10|26|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[The Naming of the Dead]]'' Rebus investigates when an unidentified body is found in the grounds of a local Edinburgh hotel which is due to play host to the World Trade Summit. When another body is found in the grounds of Edinburgh castle, Special Branch intervene and warn Rebus off the case. | LineColor=FFB90F }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber= 14 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title= {{va|[[Knots and Crosses (Rebus)|Knots and Crosses]]|Knots and Crosses}} | WrittenBy= Roger Gartland | DirectedBy= Roger Gartland | Viewers= 4.94 | OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2007|12|7|df=y}} | ShortSummary= ''Based on [[Knots and Crosses]]'' Rebus finds himself being investigated by an old friend after a murderer walks free on a technicality. Matters are made worse when the suspect and his brother are found dead, and the prosecutor in the case is found to have been paid off to discredit Rebus and his colleagues. | LineColor=FFB90F }} }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{STV Player|id=summary/rebus|title=''Rebus''}} *{{IMDb title|0867015}} *{{Epguides|Rebus}} *[http://www.ianrankin.net Ian Rankin] (Official website)

[[Category:2000 Scottish television series debuts]] [[Category:2007 Scottish television series endings]] [[Category:2000s British crime drama television series]] [[Category:2000s British mystery television series]] [[Category:British detective television series]] [[Category:English-language British television shows]] [[Category:Films shot in Edinburgh]] [[Category:ITV television dramas]] [[Category:Rebus (2000 TV series)| ]] [[Category:Scottish television series]] [[Category:Television series by Clerkenwell Films]] [[Category:Television series by STV Studios]] [[Category:Television shows based on British novels]] [[Category:Television shows produced by Scottish Television]] [[Category:Television shows set in Edinburgh]] [[Category:Television shows set in Scotland]]