REBUS: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR SECOND SERIES OF BBC DRAMA AS FILMING BEGINS

Filming is underway on the second series of Rebus with Richard Rankin reprising his role as Detective John Rebus on the acclaimed BBC drama, with further casting announced. Rebus – an Eleventh Hour Films production – will film in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow over the coming months with the series debuting on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in 2027.

Joining the cast of Rebus for the second series are John Michie (Karen Pirie, Ridley), Stephen McCole (Shetland, Vigil), Emily Barber (The Wayfinders, Mobland), Lorne MacFadyen (Starstruck, Operation Mincemeat), Conor Berry (Vigil, Karen Pirie), Ivan Ivashkin (The Capture, Bloods), Olga Safronova (The Fatigued, Second Spring), Douglas Russell (Adolescence, Department Q), Alexis Rodney (Death In Paradise, Mix Tape), Reece Montague (The Primrose Railway Children) and Joshua Haynes (Crime, Granite Harbour).

The guest cast will star alongside series regulars including Brian Ferguson (playing Michael Rebus), Lucie Shorthouse (DC Siobhan Clarke), Amy Manson (Rhona Moncrieffe), Neshla Caplan (Chrissie Rebus), Stuart Bowman (Ger Cafferty), Noof Ousellam (Darryl Christie), Thoren Ferguson (Malcolm Fox), Mia McKenzie (Sammy Rebus), Andrew John Tait (Neil MacKenzie) and Cassidy Little (Cammy).

Written by Gregory Burke and based on the best-selling books by Ian Rankin, the new series continues to explore Rebus’s complex world as he navigates Scottish crime and personal conflict. Series two, commissioned by the BBC, explores the links between violent criminals and the professional bourgeois world of law and finance, where police sometimes fear to tread.

Richard is delighted to be back for a second series: “There’s a real sense of excitement about stepping back into Rebus’ world. We were incredibly fortunate with the team we assembled for the first series, and it’s a genuine pleasure to be returning alongside so many familiar faces, both in front of and behind the camera. At the same time, we’re welcoming some fantastic new talent this season, and it’s already exciting to see the energy, ideas and depth they’re bringing to the story.

“What I’ve always loved about Rebus is that he’s such a richly complex character. He’s fiercely driven, deeply flawed, endlessly determined and often at war with himself. Returning to him, there’s still so much to discover, with many, many layers of the character left to explore. This next chapter promises to challenge him in ways that I’m really looking forward to bringing to life.”

The first six-part series, which launched in full on BBC iPlayer in 2024, received widespread praise from both critics and audiences. The debut episode attracted 6.3 million viewers across all platforms while it scooped three RTS Scotland awards for Best Drama, Writer and Director last year.

Rebus is part of a growing list of BBC dramas from Scotland, including Counsels, Shetland, Vigil, Granite Harbour, Half Man, Mint, Sutherland, The Young Team and Grams.

Rebus series two (6x60) is produced by Eleventh Hour Films for BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland and BBC One. It was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland. Paula Cuddy, Jill Green, Eve Gutierrez, Niall MacCormick, Gregory Burke and Ian Rankin are the Executive Producers for Eleventh Hour Films, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland and Stephanie Fyfe for the BBC. Niall MacCormick is the director of all six episodes with Angela Murray as Producer. Rebus is distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television.