Great Scot
AS THE RENOWNED DETECTIVE RETURNS, RICHARD RANKIN INTRODUCES THE REIMAGINED REBUS TO INSIDE TV…
REBUS BBC iPlayer
Hi, Richard! Tell us about your new version of John Rebus…
He’s a detective sergeant in this new series, based in Edinburgh: an ex-soldier with questionable methods when it comes to his job. His work, family and personal life are all in turmoil when we first meet him, with things kicking off at work with his new police partner, DC Siobhan Clarke [Lucie Shorthouse] and away from work with his brother, Michael [Brian Ferguson].
John initially appears very different from Siobhan and Michael…
Right off the bat, John isn’t interested in Siobhan. She’s joined the force as a fast-track graduate, and John thinks she’s going to be all about the red tape and get in the way of him getting the job done. He’s very quick to judge!
But she does start to open his eyes to how he’s behaving. His relationship with Michael is complicated; there’s years of history there, and potential for conflict. They’re so similar, but so different. It makes for an interesting parallel.
The series opens with a very dramatic scene involving Rebus and his nemesis, Ger Cafferty (Stuart Bowman) – can Rebus deal with him? Rebus has confidence in his ability in most situations because he’s constantly cutting about in dangerous situations by himself. The opening scene had me hooked, because it sets the tone for what Rebus is capable of…
Your Rebus is younger than the versions previously played by Ken Stott and John Hannah in the Noughties…
Yes, I was quite familiar with Rebus growing up: my dad is an ex-cop and he watched the series a lot. It was very popular! I think the character being younger gives us a bit more potential for the story – it makes it more dynamic and dangerous. And by making him younger you can also have a more handsome actor to play the part [laughs]!